The hit Broadway musicalHamilton: An American Musical has swept the musical theatre community this past year. With 16 Tony nominations, it is safe to say that it was a smashing success. The creator of the smash hit, Lin-Manuel Miranda, also starred as Alexander Hamilton up until July 9th of this year. In honor of his final bow, I have compiled a list of some of his greatest lyrics. This list is incomplete because I would write the entire script if that was possible, but, alas, I cannot. All of the songs are linked to a YouTube video of the audio. Now, without further ado, here are some of Lin-Manuel Miranda's most noteworthy lyrics.
"I think of death so much it feels like a memory."
Line sung by: Lin-Manuel Miranda (Alexander Hamilton)
Alexander Hamilton's life was not easy. The opening line of the enter musical is "Bastard, orphan, son of a whore." Those words are not usually thrown together for a good reason. But in the words of Lin-Manuel Miranda, "he wrote himself out of poverty." In My Shot, Hamilton also sings that "for the first time [he's] thinking past tomorrow." Death has been a vivid and important part of Alexander's life.
"You married an Icarus, he's flown too close to the sun."
Line sung by: Phillipa Soo (Eliza Hamilton)
Icarus is apart of a Greek myth. He was the son of the man who created the Labyrinth to hold the Minotaur. The creator made wings of feather and wax to escape the maze. He warned his son to follow his moves exactly because if he went too close to the sea, the wings would be clogged and if he went too close to the sun, the wings would melt. Either way, he would end up drowning in the sea. So the father and son take off and overcome with the feeling of freedom flying gives you, the son soared too close to the sun, ultimately landing himself in the sea, just like his father warned him of.
With this knowledge, the lyric is beautiful. At this part of the musical, Eliza has learned of Alexander's scandalous affair. Alexander has let his own hubris fly himself too close to the sun and now he is falling.
"He's constantly confusin', confundin' the British henchman. Everyone give it up for America's favorite fighting Frenchman."
Line sung by: Leslie Odom, Jr. (Aaron Burr)
Truly, this lyric is chosen based on its alliteration throughout it. With the alliterated "con" in "constantly confusin', confundin'" and the alliterated "f" in "favorite fighting Frenchman" this lyric deserves the praise I am giving it. It is also one of the best "hype up" intros to a rap in the entire musical.
"When I meet Thomas Jefferson, I'm a' compel him to include women in the sequel."
Line sung by: Renee Elise Goldsberry (Angelica Schuyler)
This musical, obviously, took place in the Revolutionary War. Women would not receive their right to vote for more than a century, but that did not phase the Schuyler sisters. They worked to make the country better for everyone and the entire song is about these strong women. They don't need anyone to try to tell them what to believe in and how to act, considering that the first part of the song is about how they are in downtown New York City when their father told them not to just to see "the revolution happening in New York." In her verbal take down of Aaron Burr (sir), Angelica mentions that she's read Common Sense by Thomas Paine and that she, along with her sisters, are very well-read. The Schuyler sisters were not ones to be messed with in the 1770s.
"Your perfume smells like your daddy's got money."
Line sung by: Leslie Odom, Jr. (Aaron Burr)
This lyric was the start of the verbal takedown brought to you by Angelica Schuyler. I included this line because it's just funny. When most people think about the founding fathers, they think of stuffy, old, white guys. Lin-Manuel Miranda changes that in his masterpiece by showing the public that they were humorous and as scandalous as any Keeping Up With The Kardashians episode. It's true that Aaron Burr most likely did not say "Your perfume smells like your daddy's got money," but it adds to the entire tone of the musical at this part.
"I'm just like my country, I'm young, scrappy, and hungry."
Line sung by: Lin-Manuel Miranda (Alexander Hamilton)
I love this line for the simple fact that it is relevant to the country at the time. For any one that knows about any part of Revolutionary War- era America would know that the new country that they all built was basically an experiment. They all tried their best, but failed because they were testing things out to see what would work. But this did not stop them from setting the ground work for the America to be one of the powerhouses of the world. The founding fathers wanted America to be great. They were all young, scrappy, and hungry, an underdog of sorts.
"If you stand for nothing, Burr, what do you fall for."
Line sung by: Lin-Manuel Miranda (Alexander Hamilton)
Throughout the musical, you get the sense that Aaron Burr doesn't like to voice his opinions, especially considering that his "free advice" he gives Hamilton in this song is "Talk less, smile more. Don't let them know what you're against or what you're for." This particular lyric from the song shows the frustration because Aaron Burr won't pick a side on anything. He seems to be more neutral than Switzerland could ever hope to be.
"For once in your life take a stand with pride. I don't understand how you stand to the side."
Line sung by: Lin-Manuel Miranda (Alexander Hamilton)
This line also speaks to Burr's constant need to not let anyone know what he's against or what he's for. This time in American history was rough because we were fitting a superpower, far superior country to gain independence to build a brand new country. This was not a time to be neutral and, as already mentioned, Burr was the most neutral of them all. Being neutral at this time just meant that you weren't really apart of much because big opinions and arguments are needed to be able to keep the ball rolling.
"Hate the sin, love the sinner."
Line sung by: Lin-Manuel Miranda (Alexander Hamilton)
The meaning behind this phrase is that you can hate the act, but you should still love the person. It can also be seen throughout parts of the Bible. This is a very interesting turn in the musical because Aaron Burr is getting edged out of conversations and Hamilton is, in a way, blowing him off. This is the start of Burr's decline and paranoia in the musical.
The entirety of "Wait For It"
Song sung by: Leslie Odom, Jr. & Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton (Aaron Burr, sir)
I am aware that this is not a song lyric, but just the entire song. The reason is that if I did just lyrics to this song, I would come up with at least 4 different lyrics so why not just put the entire thing?
The entire song is beautifully made. It shows the pain of Aaron Burr. Just like Hamilton, Burr has lost so many people in his life and also like him, there came a time where he recognized his life is a gift. He sings, "if there's a reason I'm still alive while everyone who loves me has died, I'm willing to wait for it." There is a powerful moment after that when you can almost hear the epiphany in his voice. He realizes that nothing in life is set, he can't do anything about the world, but he can control himself. The repetition of "____ doesn't discriminate between the sinners and the saints. It takes and it takes and it takes. But we keep____ anyway. We rise and we fall" is powerful to think about because it is all true. The build up of the music to where it just overflows into a waterfall of emotions is incredible and Lin-Manuel Miranda and Leslie Odom, Jr., were able to do it twice in the same song. This piece is incredible and I highly recommend listening to it.
I realize that I am missing quite a few important quotes and songs, but like I said, if I didn't limit myself, I would have the entire transcript written here. This musical is changing the face of Broadway and theatre and opening doors that were previously closed. Lin-Manuel Miranda was able to take the story of a stuff, old, white guy and turn him into a figure that somewhat relatable and very hip-hop. Lin-Manuel did something that hasn't been seen before and is making history. He is making people go to Broadway, learn about our founding fathers, and introducing those to the theatre that previously never would have gone. So for that, I thank you Lin-Manuel Miranda.
