Intro
N.C.
After the war I went back to New York
A-After the war I went back to New York
I finished up my studies and I practiced law
I practiced law, Burr worked next door
Even though we started at the very same time
Alexander Hamilton began to climb
How to account for his rise to the top?
Maaaaan, the man is
Non-stop!
Verse
F Fmaj7/C Am G
Gentlemen of the jury, I’m curious, bear with me, Are you aware that we’re making history?
F F/G Am
This is the first murder trial of our brand-new nation The liberty behind deliberation—
F Fmaj7/C Am
I intend to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt With my assistant counsel—Co-counsel Hamilton, sit down
G F Fmaj7/C Am
Our client Levi Weeks is innocent. Call your first witness That’s all you had to say! Okay! One more thing—
F F/E Dm7 Dm/C Am G
Why do you assume you’re the smartest in the room? Why do you assume you’re the smartest in the room?
F F/E Dm7 Dm/C C9/A
Why do you assume you’re the smartest in the room? Soon that attitude may be your doom!
F F/E Dm7 Dm/C Am G
Why do you write like you’re running out of time? Write day and night like you’re running out of time?
F F/E Dm7 Dm/C C9/A
Evry day you fight like you’re running out of time Keep on fighting. In the meantime
F Fmaj7/C Am G
Corruption’s such an old song that we can sing along in harmony And nowhere is it stronger than in Albany
F G Am
This colony’s economy’s increasingly stalling and Honestly, that’s why public service seems to be calling me
F Fmaj7/C Am G
I practiced the law, I practic’ly perfected it I’ve seen injustice in the world and I’ve corrected it
F Fmaj7/C Am
Now for a strong central democracy If not, then I’ll be Socrates Throwing verbal rocks at these mediocrities
N.C.
Hamilton, at the Constitutional Convention I was chosen for the Constitutional Convention!
There as a New York junior delegate Now what I’m going to say may sound indelicate…
Goes and proposes his own form of government!
His own plan for a new form of government!
Talks for six hours! The convention is listless!
Bright young man… Yo, who the f is this?
F F/E Dm7 Dm/C Am G
Why do you always say what you believe? Why do you always say what you believe?
F F/E Dm7 Dm/C C9/A
Ev’ry proclamation guarantees free ammunition for your enemies!
F F/E Dm7 Dm/C Am G
Why do you write like it’s Going out of style? Write day and night like it’s Going out of style?
F F/E Dm7 C9/A
Ev’ry day you fight like it’s Going out of style Do what you do
Dm C/E F F/Bb
Alexander? Aaron Burr, sir It’s the middle of the night Can we confer, sir?
Dm C/E F
Is this a legal matter? Yes, and it’s important to me What do you need? Burr, you’re a better lawyer than me
Dm C/E F F/Bb
I know I talk too much, I’m abrasive You’re incredible in court. You’re succinct, persuasive
Dm C/E F
My client needs a strong defense. You’re the solution Who’s your client? The new U.S. Constitution?
Ebm C#/F F# F#/B
No, Hear me out, No way! A series of essays, anonymously published defending the
Ebm C#/F F# F#/B
document to the public No one will read it I disagree And if it fails? Burr, that’s why we need it
Ebm C#/F F# F#/B
The constitution’s a mess So it needs amendments It’s full of contradictions So is independence
Ebm C#/F F#
We have to start somewhere No. No way You’re making a mistake Good night Hey
N.C.
What are you waiting for?
What do you stall for?
What?
We won the war
What was it all for?
Do you support this constitution?
Of course
Then defend it
And what if you’re backing the wrong horse?
Burr, we studied and we fought and we killed
For the notion of a nation we now get to build
Eb5 Db5 Bb5
For once in your life, take a stand with pride I don’t understand how you stand to the side
F# Ab Bbm
I’ll keep all my plans Close to my chest
F# Fm7/Ab Bbm
I’ll wait here and see Which way the wind Will blow
F# Fm7/Ab Bbm F# G#
I’m taking my time Watching the Afterbirth of a nation Watching the tension grow
Ebm F#
I am sailing off to London I’m accompanied by someone who always pays
Ebm F#
I have found a wealthy husband Who will keep me in comfort for all my days
Ebm F#
He is not a lot of fun, but there’s no one Who can match you for turn of phrase
Bmaj7 C#
My Alexander Angelica Don’t forget to write
Ebm C#/F F# F#/B
Look at where you are Look at where you started
Ebm C#/F F# F#/B
The fact that you’re alive is a miracle Just stay alive, that would be enough
Ebm C#/F F# F#/B
And if your wife could share a fraction of your
Ebm C#/F Bb4
Time If I could grant you peace of mind Would that be enough?
Ebm F#
Alexander joins forces with James Madison and John Jay to write a series of essays
Ebm F#
Defending the new United States Constitution, entitled The Federalist Papers.
Ebm F#
The plan was to write a total of twenty-five essays, the work divided evenly among the three men.
Ebm F#
In the end, they wrote eighty-five essays, in the span of six months.
Em D/F# G G/C
John Jay got sick after writing five. James Madison wrote twenty-nine.
Em D/F# G G/F#
Hamilton wrote the other fifty-one!
Em7 D G9 G/B
How do you write like you’re Running out of time? Write day and night like you’re running out of time?
Em7 D G9 G/B
Ev’ry day you fight like you’re Running out of time Running out of time Are you running out of time?
Em7 D G9 G/B
How do you write like tomorrow won’t arrive? How do you write like you need it to survive?
Em7 D/F# G Em/A
How do you write ev’ry second you’re alive? Ev’ry second you’re alive? Ev’ry second you’re alive?
Em9 Gmaj7
They are asking me to lead I am doing the best I
C/A Em/C B
Can to get the people that I need I’m asking you to be my right hand man
Em9 Gmaj7
Treasury or State? I know it’s a lot to ask Treasury or State? To leave behind the world you
C/A Em/C B
Know, Sir, do you want me to run the Treasury or State department? Treasury Let’s go
Em D9/F#
Alexander… I have to leave
G Em/A
Alexander— Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now
Em D9/F#
Helpless… They are asking me to lead
G Em/A Em/B Em/C
Look around, isn’t this enough? He will never be satisfied
Em/D
He will never be satisfied
D
Satisfied
G D Em
History has it's eyes on you
G D
He will never be satisfied
Em
Satisfied… Satisfied...
G D Em
Why do you assume you're the smartest in the room
G G/E D
History has it's eyes on you
Am Am/B
I am not throwin’ away my shot!
Am/C Am/D
I am not throwin’ away my shot!
Em
Alexander Hamilton! Hamilton
C Bm/D
Just you wait!
Em
I am not throwing away my shot