Hamilton Declaration of Independence song lyrics

July 4, 2020 at 1:01pm PM EDT

Did you catch Hamilton: An American Musical on Disney+ last night? If you loved (finally!) seeing the groundbreaking musical that stars and was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, you might still be humming the songs, and wanting more of that history-lesson amazingness. We get it! And if you haven’t seen it yet but are still planning to stream it this weekend — consider this a fun pre-viewing primer.

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Hamilton: An American Musical changed musical theater as we know it. It received a record-setting 16 Tony nominations and won 11, including Best Musical. And ever since it hit Broadway, it garnered a major cult following — from those who’ve either watched the show or listened to the soundtrack in its entirety on Spotify. I mean, Miranda has George Washington rapping fire bars — no wonder this musical has become a classic.

The tracks on Hamilton, although delightfully modern and wide in musical range, require some careful analyzing, though. I’ll admit, some of the lyrics went right over my head — it helps to have a quick and dirty guide to all the historical references and names.

Luckily, most of the lyrics of the Hamilton album have been explained by Lin-Manuel Miranda himself. So we’ve broken down a couple of fan-favorite songs and revealed some history lesson gems hidden in the lyrics. Keep reading (and rapping!) so you don’t miss a thing.

A version of this story first appeared in November 2016.

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Hamilton - Cabinet Battle #2 Lyrics

Broadway musical (2015)
Hamilton the Musical - Cabinet Battle #2 Lyrics

"Cabinet Battle #2" is a song from the Broadway musical Hamilton performed by Christopher Jackson (Washington), Daveed Diggs (Jefferson), Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton), Okieriete Onaodowan (Madison).

[WASHINGTON]
The issue on the table: France is on the verge of war with England,
and do we provide aid and our troops to our French allies or do we stay out of it?
Remember, my decision on this matter is not subject to congressional approval.
The only person you have to convince is me.
Secretary Jefferson, you have the floor, sir.

[JEFFERSON]
When we were on death’s door
When we were needy
We made a promise
We signed a treaty
We need money and guns and half a chance
Uh, who provided those funds?

[MADISON]
France.

[JEFFERSON]
In return, they didn’t ask for land,
Only a promise that we’d lend a hand
And stand with them
If they fought against oppressors
And revolution is messy
But now is the time to stand!
Stand with our brothers
As they fight against tyranny.
I know that Alexander Hamilton is here and he
Would rather not have this debate;
I’ll remind you that he is not Secretary of State!
He knows nothing of loyalty
Smells like new money, dresses like fake royalty
Desperate to rise above his station,
Everything he does betrays the ideals of our nation.
Hey, and if you don’t know, now you know, Mr. President.

[WASHINGTON]
Thank you, Secretary Jefferson.
Secretary Hamilton, your response?

[HAMILTON]
You must be out of your goddamn mind
If you think
The President is going to bring the nation to the brink
Of meddling in the middle of a military mess,
A game of chess,
Where France is Queen and King-less.
We signed a treaty with a King whose head is now in a basket,
Would you like to take it out and ask it?
Should we honor our treaty, King Louis’s head?
“Uh, do whatever you want I’m super dead!”

[WASHINGTON]
Enough enough, Hamilton is right.

[JEFFERSON]
Mr. President!

[WASHINGTON]
We’re too fragile to start another fight.

[JEFFERSON]
But sir, do we not fight for freedom?

[WASHINGTON]
Sure, when the French figure out who’s gonna lead ‘em.

[JEFFERSON]
The people are leading!

[WASHINGTON]
The people are rioting! There’s a difference!
Frankly it’s a little disquieting you would let
your ideals blind you to reality!
Hamilton?

[HAMILTON]
Sir

[WASHINGTON]
Draft the statement of neutrality.
[JEFFERSON]
Did you forget Lafayette?

[HAMILTON]
What?

[JEFFERSON]
Have you an ounce of regret?
You accumulate debt, you accumulate power.
Yet in their hour of need, you forget.

[HAMILTON]
Lafayette’s a smart man, he’ll be fine.
And before he was your friend, he was mine.
If we try to fight in every revolution in the world,
We never stop. Where do we draw the line?

[JEFFERSON]
So quick witted.

[HAMILTON]
Alas, I admit it.

[JEFFERSON]
I bet you were quite a lawyer.

[HAMILTON]
My defendants got acquitted

[JEFFERSON]
Yeah, well someone ought to remind you

[HAMILTON]
What?

[JEFFERSON]
You’re nothing without Washington behind you.

[WASHINGTON]
Hamilton!

[JEFFERSON]
Daddy’s calling!

[Thanks to Valerie for lyrics]

Read more: Hamilton the Musical Lyrics

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