Sunrise, Sunset
I don’t usually like musicals, primarily because there’s a deplorable lack of sports in them. So it took some cajoling to get me to watch the ’71 classic ‘Fiddler on the Roof’. It was and remains magnificent. The celebration of life despite its challenges is rarely portrayed so well. And now:
With apologies to Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, we offer our rooftop perspective on the long-debated symbolism of the fiddler and his famous song, “Sunrise, Sunset”. The fiddler’s day job is installing solar. He was employee of the month at Livermore’s Synergy Power twice last year. He’s also the best square dancer at our annual corporate picnic. Why does he play? Because life with solar must be celebrated. The simplicity is elegant, no? And while we will preserve his anonymity here, hopefully this serves to clear up some decades-long intrigue surrounding the storied story. We thought it was time.
As to the tune, you’ll recall Tevye’s caramel crooning about the rapid passage of time- days, seasons, years, while his wife Golde counterpoints about how fast kids grow up. The setting is a wedding, and even after seeing the film several times now, it’s still hard to fathom how profound things were couched in such entertaining terms in that movie. And this from a Gentile.
One final interpretation: At the end of the song “Sunrise, Sunset”, the groom Motel (not 6) stomps on a little shot glass to launch the reception. I don’t know why he did that, but how would you like to do the same to your electric bill and then have a party?
Coming Soon to a Roof Over You
While you’re downloading or queuing up ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ to watch, check out SynergyPower.com– we’re kosher. And it only takes a moment to save a mint. Life is easier to celebrate without burdensome utility bills to bear…even if you ARE a rich man. Biddy biddy biddy biddy biddy beedle beedle bum. -Lee Stilwater