20 Hamilton Lyrics That Double As Life Lessons | The Odyssey Online
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20 Hamilton Lyrics That Double As Life Lessons

"This one's for the young, scrappy, and hungry who refuse to throw away their shots."

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20 Hamilton Lyrics That Double As Life Lessons
KPBS

If you're an avid lover of "Hamilton" like myself, you probably sit in your room alone while replaying the entire soundtrack way more often than you'd like to admit. It's also presumably to assume that you inevitably find new phrases within the lyrics that catch your attention each and every time you listen. Even though times have clearly changed from the 1700's, many of the lyrics can be contributed to everyday situations and lessons that we acquire in the modern day realm. Without further ado, here are 20 Hamilton lyrics translated to aspects of your 21st-century life.

1. "There's a million things I haven't done, but just you wait."

Many will ask, "Why do you fight like you're running out of time?". Well, the answer to that is just because you've achieved great things does not mean you're satisfied or close to being done. To those who don't believe in you, they will wait and watch as you gradually accomplish the things they thought you never would.

2. "We could prove that we're worth more than anyone bargained for."

The place you came from doesn't always have to define where you're going. If you keep the right mindset, no past, regardless of how rough, can get in the way of the great things you're going to achieve. Many may automatically assume that you have no potential because of your harsh roots, so it's up to you to prove them wrong.

3. "I'm just like my country, I'm young, scrappy and hungry and I am not throwing away my shot."

No matter how many times you get turned down or fall short throughout your life, never be discouraged. When Hamilton began his journey, no one knew his name. Do not throw away your chance. Work endlessly to prove your worth and make yourself known. Remain persistent and one day when the time is right, you will earn your shot.

4. "I'm a diamond in the rough, a shiny piece of coal trying to reach my goal."

Nobody is perfect. You will make many mistakes on the way to achieving your dreams. However, perfection is not expected. We're all diamonds in the rough just working to the best of our abilities to make our dreams come true.

5. "If you stand for nothing, Burr, what'll you fall for?"

This is a quote that I abide by on a daily basis. Growing up, I learned not to let my voice get lost in the crowd, overlooked, or diminished. Somewhere down the road when you look back and reflect on your life, would you rather go with pride knowing you fought hard for what you believed in and stayed true to yourself or that you talked less and smiled more in order to save face? If you stand for nothing, what will you look back on with pride?

6. "When you're livin' on your knees you rise up. Tell your brother that he's gotta rise up. Tell your sister that she's gotta rise up."

Don't just raise yourself up, but be an inspiration to those around you. Motivating the people who surround you will create a more uplifting and productive environment as well as a great potential for the future and what is to come. After all, improving the state of our nation is a group effort.

7. "This is not a moment, it's the movement."

While fighting for what you believe in, it's normal to feel like it is simply a moment; a singular attempt to make a difference on a longstanding issue. What we often fail to realize is that a movement is made of moments, productive and uplifting gatherings of people throughout time seeking to achieve a single goal. If you are in a moment attempting to make a difference, you are a part of something so much greater; you are part of the movement.

8. "I may not live to see our glory, but I will gladly join the fight."

Just because you may not be there when the goal has been reached does not mean your efforts will go unnoticed or fail to leave a mark. After all, one day our children will tell our stories, am I right?

9. "You want a revolution, I want a revelation."

Brought to you by the legendary Schuyler sisters. Especially with this day in age, people will initially turn to fighting as an attempt to settle their differences. We need to open our eyes to the fact that there are so many different opinions and outlooks between our peers, our acquaintances, our friends and humanity in general.

10. "When I meet Thomas Jefferson, ima compel him to include women in the sequel."

Women are rising up and no one can prevent that. Women have accomplished so many amazing things throughout history and they are slowly but surely rising to equality. The future has great things in store for females and they will indeed be included in the sequel.

11. "Don't modulate the key then not debate with me."

Ignorance is not bliss. If you have the right to spew your beliefs in people's faces then they should have just as much of a right. Do not place a constraint on those who disagree with you. It is so important and healthy to be open and considerate to hearing out all perspectives and points of view. Without debate, we would conform.

12. "I'd rather be divisive than indecisive."

This saying has gained an immense amount of attention and was also featured on various signs at the women's march. Given all of the movements going on today, it seems that much of society has a good grasp on this concept. Instead of worrying about taking sides or pleasing others, stand for what you believe in.

13. "Death doesn't discriminate between the sinners and the saints, it takes and it takes and it takes. And we keep living anyway, we rise and we fall and we break and we make our mistakes. And if there's a reason I'm still alive when everyone who loves me has died, I'm willing to wait for it."

These lyrics sung emotionally by Burr had us all feeling some type of way. Whatever the case may be, everything happens for a reason, even if you may not know the reason at the time. The message to be taken away from this is that you are here for a reason. Regardless of who has been taken from you, no matter how unfair it seemed, you are meant to stay strong and fulfill your purpose in life.

14. "If we lay a strong enough foundation, we'll pass it on to you, we'll give the world to you and you'll blow us all away."

This very intimate moment of Burr and Hamilton singing to their children is a lesson that any individual can benefit from. Our younger generations are shaped based on our actions and what they are taught. We need to lay a strong foundation for the people who will, one day, hold office, save lives, work hard and most importantly, make differences. Many characteristics and work ethics are learned, not inherited.

15. "Life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. We fought for these ideals; we shouldn't settle for less."

Every day you should fight like you're running out of time. For the people you love, for the things you believe in, for the liberation you've worked endlessly to achieve. Do not settle for less than you deserve and do not let your efforts fall short.

16. "In the eye of a hurricane, there is quiet. For a moment, just a yellow sky."

When the world is making noise and your thoughts are overwhelmed by the struggles, it is so important to seek out the piece of mind that exists somewhere within you. Even when it feels like nothing can go right, there will most always be a silver lining.

17. "You and your words flooded my senses. Your sentences left me defenseless. You built me palaces out of paragraphs. You built cathedrals. I'm re-reading the letters you wrote me. I'm searching and scanning for answers in every line for some kind of sign."

We feel for you, Eliza. Loyal eyes don't always recognize deceit. We are easily woo'd by people who say the right words and make us feel special. Looking back, it is easy to be confused about where it all went wrong. In many cases, you might even blame yourself. It is your job to move on and be the bigger person.

18. "The world has no right to my heart, the world has no place in our bed."

Hamilton did it. He cheated on Eliza and the affair was exposed to the world. Though this quote was concerning a different situation in Hamilton than what I'm translating it to, these words are very powerful.

Because of this, we have been equipped to portray unrealistic representations of ourselves, our relationships, and many different aspects of our lives for our followers. The world has no right to your heart, your relationship, your problems, or your life for that matter. Regardless of the norms and expectations placed on society, always keep that in mind.

19. "There are moments that words don't reach. There is a grace too powerful to name. We push away what we can never understand."

There is no way to explain tragedy and we aren't expected to know how to cope with tough situations. Sometimes when life seems like too much to take in, we simply ignore the problem. Instead of pushing away the unexplainable, we should learn that grieving is ok. In fact, the point of it is to come to terms with what happened so that you can learn from it, understand the situation, accept reality and grow from it all.

20. "I should've known the world was wide enough for both Hamilton and me."

Unfortunately, Aaron Burr came to this realization when it was too late. Given all of the division going on within our country, these lyrics can't be stressed enough. The world is big enough for all of us, even if we don't see eye to eye. That is part of the beauty of life. Don't seek to defeat those whose views differ from yours. Instead, learn to embrace the differences and coexist.


Hamilton has brought a new and innovative style to the world of Broadway. It doubles as a history lesson and an emotional journey with much to take out of it. Because of the intimate, genuine and heartfelt manner in which the songs are performed, it is almost impossible not to take something away from Hamilton. Here's to the show who set all of our standards incredibly high and left us all wanting more (for those of us lucky enough to have been in the room where it happens, at least). The world will never be the same.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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