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The Room Where It Happens
Hamilton
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Lyrics
Original
Translation
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Ah, Mister Secretary
Mister Burr, sir
Did ya hear the news about good old General Mercer?
No
You know Clermont Street?
Yeah
They renamed it after him, the Mercer legacy is secure
Sure
And all he had to do was die
Yeah, that's a lot less work
We oughta give it a try (ha)
Now how're you gonna get your debt plan through?
I guess I'm gonna finally have to listen to you
Really?
"Talk less, smile more"
Do whatever it takes to get my plan on the Congress floor
Now, Madison and Jefferson are merciless
Well, hate the sin, love the sinner
Hamilton!
I'm sorry Burr, I've gotta go
But-
Decisions are happening over dinner
Two Virginians and an immigrant walk into a room
Diametrically opposed, foes
They emerge with a compromise
Having opened doors that were previously closed, bros
The immigrant emerges with unprecedented financial power
A system he can shape however he wants
The Virginians emerge with the nation's capital
And here's the pièce de résistance
No one else was in the room where it happened
The room where it happened
The room where it happened
No one else was in the room where it happened
The room where it happened
The room where it happened
No one really knows how the game is played
The art of the trade
How the sausage gets made
We just assume that it happens
But no one else is in the room where it happens
(Thomas claims)
Alexander was on Washington's doorstep one day
In distress and disarray
(Thomas claims)
Alexander said
"I've nowhere else to turn!"
And basically begged me to join the fray
(Thomas claims)
I approached Madison and said
"I know you hate him, but let's hear what he has to say"
(Thomas claims)
Well, I arranged the meeting
I arranged the menu, the venue, the seating
But!
No one else was in the room where it happened
The room where it happened
The room where it happened
No one else was in the room where it happened
The room where it happened
The room where it happened
No one really knows how the parties get to yes
The pieces that are sacrificed in every game of chess
We just assume that it happens
But no one else is in the room where it happens
(Meanwhile)
Madison is grappling with the fact that
Not every issue can be settled by committee
(Meanwhile)
Congress is fighting over where to put the capital-
It isn't pretty
Then Jefferson approaches with a dinner and invite
And Madison responds with Virginian insight
Maybe we can solve one problem with another
And win a victory for the Southerners
In other words
Oh-ho!
A quid pro quo
I suppose
Wouldn't you like to work a little closer to home?
Actually, I would
Well, I propose the Potomac
And you'll provide him his votes?
Well, we'll see how it goes
Let's go
No!
One else was in the room where it happened
The room where it happened
The room where it happened
No one else was in the room where it happened
The room where it happened
The room where it happened
My God!
In God, we trust
But we'll never really know what got discussed
Click-boom, then it happened
And no one else was in the room where it happened
(Alexander Hamilton)
What did they say to you to get you to sell New York City down the river?
(Alexander Hamilton)
Did Washington know about the dinner?
Was there presidential pressure to deliver?
(Alexander Hamilton)
Or did you know, even then, it doesn't matter where you put the U.S. Capital?
'Cause we'll have the banks
We're in the same spot
You got more than you gave
And I wanted what I got
When you got skin in the game
You stay in the game
But you don't get a win unless you play in the game
Oh, you get love for it
You get hate for it
You get nothing if you
Wait for it, wait for it, wait!
God help and forgive me
I wanna build something that's gonna outlive me
What do you want, Burr? (What do you want, Burr?)
What do you want, Burr? (What do you want, Burr?)
If you stand for nothing, Burr (what do you want, Burr?)
Then what do you fall for? (What do you want?)
I
Wanna be in the room where it happens
The room where it happens
I
Wanna be in the room where it happens
The room where it happens
(I wanna be in)
I (the room where it happens)
Wanna be in (the room where it happens)
The room where it happens (the room where it happens)
I (I wanna be in)
I wanna be in the room (the room where it happens)
Oh (the room where it happens)
(I wanna be in the room where it happens)
Wanna be (the room where it happens)
I wanna be in (the room where it happens)
I've got to be (I wanna be in)
I've got to be (the room where it happens)
In that room (the room where it happens)
In that big ol' room (the room where it happens)
Oh
The art of the compromise
Hold your nose and close your eyes
We want our leaders to save the day
But we don't get a say in what they trade away
We dream of a brand new start
But we dream in the dark for the most part
Dark as a tomb where it happens
I've got to be in
The room (the room where it happens)
I've got to be (the room where it happens)
I've got to be (the room where it happens)
I've got to be in the room (the room where it happens)
I've got to be, I've gotta be, I wanna be in (the room where it happens)
In the room! (I wanna be in the room where it happens)
Click-boom!