The Rumor Lyrics

               (YENTE (the matchmaker) has picked up a letter 
		addressed to HODEL from PERCHICK in Kiev and 
		gives it to GOLDE.  GOLDE notices that the 
		letter is open...)

				GOLDE
But, it's open.

				YENTE
It happened to be open.

		(GOLDE exits with the letter.  YENTE scurries 
		across the stage to a group of villagers)

				YENTE (cont)
Rifka---Rifka, I have such news for you!

		(SUNG)
	REMEMBER PERCHICK, 
	THAT CRAZY STUDENT.
	REMEMBER AT THE WEDDING, 
	WHEN TZEITEL MARRIED MOTEL.
	AND PERCHICK STARTED DANCING
	WITH TEVYE'S DAUGHTER HODEL?
	WELL I JUST LEARNED THAT
	PERCHICK'S BEEN ARRESTED
	IN KIEV.

				GROUP
	NO!

				YENTE
	YES!

		(One woman from the group crosses the stage to
		another group of villagers)

				1ST WOMAN
Shaindel, Shaindel!   Wait till I tell you!

		(SUNG)
	REMEMBER PERCHICK, 
	THAT CRAZY STUDENT?
	REMEMBER AT THE WEDDING?
	HE DANCED WITH TEVYE'S HODEL.  
	WELL, I JUST HEARD THAT
	HODEL'S BEEN ARRESTED
	IN KIEV.

				GROUP
	NO!
	TERRIBLE!
	TERRIBLE!

		(Another woman from the second group crosses 
		to yet another group of villagers which includes 
		MENDEL, the Rabbi's son)

				2ND WOMAN
Mirala!

		(SUNG)
	DO YOU REMEMBER PERCHICK,
	THAT STUDENT FROM KIEV?
	REMEMBER HOW HE ACTED
	WHEN TZEITEL MARRIED MOTEL?
	WELL I JUST HEARD
	THAT MOTEL'S BEEN ARRESTED
	FOR DANCING AT THE WEDDING!

				GROUP
	NO!

				2ND WOMAN
	IN KIEV!

		(MENDEL crosses the stage to another group which
		includes THE RABBI and AVRAHM, the bookseller)

				MENDEL
Rabbi!   Rabbi!

		(SUNG)
	REMEMBER PERCHICK
	WITH ALL HIS STRANGE IDEAS?
	REMEMBER TZEITEL'S WEDDING
	WHERE TEVYE DANCED WITH GOLDE?
	WELL I JUST HEARD
	THAT TEVYE'S BEEN ARRESTED
	AND GOLDE'S GONE TO KIEV!

				GROUP
	NO!

				MENDEL
	GOD FORBID!

				GROUP
	SHE DIDN'T!

				MENDEL
	SHE DID!

		(AVRAHM crosses the stage to still another group
		of villagers--at the edge of this group is YENTE, 
		listening to the gossip)

				AVRAHM
Listen, everybody!   Terrible news--terrible!

		(SUNG)				   GROUP
	REMEMBER PERCHICK			YES.
	WHO STARTED ALL THE TROUBLE?		SO?
	WELL I JUST HEARD
	FROM SOMEONE WHO SHOULD KNOW		WHAT?
	THAT GOLDE'S BEEN ARRESTED.		OI!
	AND HODEL'S GONE TO KIEV.		AI!
	MOTEL STUDIES DANCING			AH!
	AND TEVYE'S ACTING STRANGE.		OH!
	SPRINTZE HAS THE MEASLES.		OH!
	BIELKE HAS THE MUMPS.			OI!

		(A beat--YENTE turns to the audience)

				YENTE		   GROUP
	AND THAT'S WHAT COMES FROM
	MEN AND WOMEN DANCING!			UH!

		(SCENE CHANGE PLAYOUT MUSIC)