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.
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 I’ll admit, some of the lyrics went right over my head — it helps to have a quick and dirty guide to all the historical references and names.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.
Track 1: “Alexander Hamilton”
LYRICS:
How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whoreAnd a Scotsman, dropped in the middle of a forgotten spot in the Caribbean by providence impoverished,In squalor, grow up to be a hero and a scholar?
EXPLAINED:
It turns out our founding father Alexander Hamilton had a really tough childhood. His father and mother weren’t married when he was born and his father never officially claimed him, and in those days, that made Hamilton a “bastard.” Hamilton couldn’t attend the local parish’s school because of his status. His mother, Rachel Lavien née Faucette was fleeing from her abusive husband when she met Hamilton’s father, James A. Hamilton, the fourth son of a Scotsman. James Hamilton abandoned Rachel, leaving her to fend for herself.
Harsh.
(Read the full lyrics.)
Track 2: “Aaron Burr, Sir”
LYRICS:
BURR:Can I buy you a drink?
HAMILTON:That would be nice.
BURR:And while we’re talking let me offer you some free advice.Talk less.
HAMILTON:What?
BURR:Smile more.
HAMILTON:Ha…
BURR:Don’t let them know what you’re against or what you’re for.
HAMILTON:You can’t be serious.
BURR:You wanna get ahead?
HAMILTON:Yes.
BURR:Fools who run their mouths off wind up dead.
EXPLAINED:
The tale of Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton is pretty strange. Fate seemed to lead both men down the same path. Burr was the third vice president of the United States and is also known as the man who killed Hamilton in a duel. In “Aaron Burr, Sir,” the men seem to be getting acquainted with one another. Burr and Hamilton both attended Princeton and graduated early. They both became lawyers and both their children died tragically.
It’s a bit spooky, especially when you factor in that Burr was responsible for taking Hamilton’s life.
(Read the full lyrics.)
Track 3: “My Shot”
“My Shot”
LYRICS:
I have learned to manage, I don’t have a gun to brandishI walk these streets famishedThe plan is to fan this spark into a flameBut damn, it’s getting dark, so let me spell out the nameI am the A-L-E-X-A-N-D-E-R we are meant to be
A colony that runs independentlyMeanwhile, Britain keeps shittin’ on us endlesslyEssentially, they tax us relentlesslyThen King George turns around, runs a spending spreeHe ain’t ever gonna set his descendants freeSo there will be a revolution in this century
EXPLAINED:
Alexander Hamilton was a firm believer in independence for the colonies. He took part in the Revolutionary War and was recruited to be George Washington’s aide, which ended his military career. “My Shot” hints at the policies that flared up tensions between the British and its American colonies (i.e., the British policies of taxing everything ridiculously), and it’s a pretty decent rap.
(Read the full lyrics.)
Track 4: “The Story of Tonight”
LYRICS:
Raise a glass to freedomSomething they can never take awayNo matter what they tell youRaise a glass to the four of us
EXPLAINED:
The four men the song is referring to are Alexander Hamilton, John Laurens, Hercules Mulligan and — brace yourself — Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette. This song is actually a historical fallacy since it’s set in 1776 and Hamilton didn’t actually meet Laurens and Lafayette until a couple of years later. Laurens was a soldier in the Revolutionary War; he was also an abolitionist. Mulligan was an Irish tailor who worked as a spy for George Washington. Lafayette was a French soldier with a deep hatred of the British (they killed his father) who joined the American Revolution. In the song, the men are celebrating a great day of battle and toasting to freedom.
(Read the full lyrics.)
Track 5: “The Schuyler Sisters”
LYRICS:
ANGELICA:I’ve been reading Common Sense by Thomas PaineSo men say that I’m intense or I’m insaneYou want a revolution? I want a revelationSo listen to my declaration:ALL SISTERS:”We hold these truths to be self-evidentThat all men are created equal”
ANGELICA and (COMPANY):And when I meet Thomas Jefferson (unh!)I’mma compel him to include women in the sequel
WOMEN: Work!
EXPLAINED:
The Schuyler sisters (Angelica, Peggy and Eliza) were the daughters of Philip Schuyler, one of the wealthiest men in New York. He had his hand in everything and was deeply involved in the commercial development of New York. He played a role in developing New York’s first flax mill. In the song, the Schuyler sisters are walking through Manhattan feeling very apart of the revolutionary spirit. Angelica, the oldest Schuyler sister, is inspired by the new ideas and ideologies. The sisters quote one the most famous lines from the Declaration of Independence and Angelica challenges Thomas Jefferson’s decision to leave women out of the document. The sisters are clearly feminists. Work!
(Read the full lyrics.)
Track 6: “The Farmer Refuted”
LYRICS:
SEABURY:Chaos and bloodshed are not a solutionDon’t let them lead you astrayThis congress does not speak for meBURR: Let him beSEABURY:They’re playing a dangerous gameI pray the king shows you his mercyFor shame, for shame!HAMILTON: Yo!
EXPLAINED:
Samuel Seabury was a New York pastor and loyalist. He was against the Revolutionary War. Seabury published a paper called “Free Thoughts on the Proceedings of the Continental Congress,” laying out his points. He published the paper under the pen name A.W. Farmer. Hamilton, of course, refuted his claims in a pamphlet called “The Farmer Refuted.” In this song, you hear the basic arguments play out. Seabury believes the revolution is basically chaos and destruction. He’s absolutely fine with British rule, while Hamilton is all about self-rule and independence. Seabury comes across as snobby, while Hamilton uses colloquial phrases like “yo.” You can actually hear the difference between the revolutionaries and the British sympathizers. Genius.
(Read the full lyrics.)
Track 7: “You’ll Be Back”
LYRICS:
You’ll be backSoon you’ll seeYou’ll remember you belong to meYou’ll be backTime will tellYou’ll remember that I served you wellOceans rise, empires fallWe have seen each other through it allAnd when push comes to shove,I will send a fully armed battalion to remind you of my love
EXPLAINED:
This song is performed by King George, who is professing his love to his American colonies. King George comes across as the abusive boyfriend in a very unhealthy relationship. The King declares the colonies will come crawling back; according to him, they’ve been through too much together to split up now and he’s willing to send an armed battalion to remind the 13 colonies.
(Read the full lyrics.)
Track 8: “Right Hand Man”
LYRICS:
We gotta run to Harlem quick, we can’t afford another slipGuns and horses giddyupI decide to divvy upMy forces, they’re skittish as the British cut the city upThis close to giving up, facing mad scrutinyI scream in the face of this mass mutinyAre these the men with which I am to defend America?We ride at midnight, Manhattan in the distanceI cannot be everywhere at once, peopleI’m in dire need of assistance
EXPLAINED:
“Right Hand Man” tells the story of the American Revolutionary War. George Washington is rapping about being low on supplies and manpower in early ’90s hip-hop style. Apparently, the men Washington fought with weren’t the bravest bunch — there were a lot of deserters. But who could blame the poor men who were fighting against British cannons with puny rifles? Wouldn’t you be antsy? During the war, Washington and Alexander Hamilton meet. Washington is enamored with Hamilton’s passion, and soon enough, Hamilton becomes Washington’s right-hand man.
(Read the full lyrics.)
Track 9: “A Winter’s Ball”
LYRICS:
BURR:How does the bastard, orphan, son of a whoreGo on and onGrow into more of a phenomenon?Watch this obnoxious, arrogant, loudmouth botherBe seated at the right hand of the fatherWashington hires Hamilton right on sightBut Hamilton still wants to fight, not writeNow Hamilton’s skill with a quill is undeniableBut what do we have in common? We’reReliable with theALL MEN:Ladies!BURR:There are so many to deflower!ALL MEN:Ladies!
EXPLAINED:
This song is a quick, fun number that gives Burr and Hamilton a chance to brag about how good they are with the ladies. According to many historians, Hamilton was quite the ladies’ man.
(Read the full lyrics.)
Track 17: “That Would Be Enough”
LYRICS:
ELIZA:I relish being your wifeLook around, look around…Look at where you areLook at where you startedThe fact that you’re alive is a miracleJust stay alive, that would be enoughAnd if this childShares a fraction of your smileOr a fragment of your mind, look out world!That would be enough
EXPLAINED:
At this point in the production, Eliza Schuyler and Alexander Hamilton are married and expecting their first child. Schuyler wrote George Washington and told him she was pregnant. She begged Washington to send Hamilton home. Hamilton didn’t find out about Schuyler’s condition until he came home. He might have been the last to know!
(Read the full lyrics.)
Track 18: “Guns and Ships”
LYRICS:
BURR:How does a ragtag volunteer army in need of a showerSomehow defeat a global superpower?How do we emerge victorious from the quagmire?Leave the battlefield waving Betsy Ross’ flag higher?Yo. Turns out we have a secret weapon!An immigrant you know and love who’s unafraid to step in!He’s constantly confusin’, confoundin’ the British henchmenEv’ryone give it up for America’s favorite fighting Frenchman!COMPANY:Lafayette!
EXPLAINED:
Lafayette really was the Continental Army’s secret weapon. He served in the army without pay, which made him a hero in the eyes of the people. Lafayette went back to France and returned to the U.S. with 6,000 soldiers and tons of provisions. One man actually turned the war around.
(Read the full lyrics.)
Track 23: “Non-Stop”
“Non-Stop”
LYRICS:
How do you write like tomorrow won’t arrive?How do you write like you need it to survive?How do you write ev’ry second you’re alive?Ev’ry second you’re alive? Ev’ry second you’re alive?
EXPLAINED:
After the Revolutionary War, Alexander Hamilton practiced law. He joined forces with John Jay and James Madison to write a series of essays (the “Federalist Papers”) defending the new U.S. Constitution. Hamilton, Jay and Madison were planning to write 25 papers together but Jay got sick after writing five. Madison ended up writing 29 and Hamilton had to be a show-off and write 51 essays. The song “Non-Stop” describes how tireless Hamilton was when it came to writing and working on behalf of the nation in general. The song hints that Alexander Hamilton seemed to know he wouldn’t have much time to live. Eerie.
(Read the full lyrics.)
Track 2 (Part 2): “Cabinet Battle #1”
LYRICS:
HAMILTON:Thomas. That was a real nice declarationWelcome to the present, we’re running a real nationWould you like to join us, or stay mellowDoin’ whatever the hell it is you do in Monticello?If we assume the debts, the union getsA new line of credit, a financial diureticHow do you not get it? If we’re aggressive and competitiveThe union gets a boost. You’d rather give it a sedative?A civics lesson from a slaver. Hey neighborYour debts are paid cuz you don’t pay for labor“We plant seeds in the South. We create.”Yeah, keep rantingWe know who’s really doing the planting
EXPLAINED:
George Washington’s cabinet meetings could get a bit rowdy. In this number, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton are arguing about how to handle debt in the young democracy. Jefferson brags about Virginia and the South in general being debt-free. Hamilton points out that the South doesn’t pay its workers (to say the least), which is why their economy is unique (to put it nicely).
(Read the full lyrics.)
Track 4 (Part 2): “Say No To This”
LYRICS:
HAMILTON:That’s when I began to pray:Lord, show me how toSay no to thisI don’t know how toSay no to thisBut my God, she looks so helplessAnd her body’s saying, “hell, yes”
EXPLAINED:
Alexander Hamilton had an affair with Maria Reynolds, who was married to James Reynolds. Apparently, Hamilton had a thing for damsels in distress. After discovering that Reynolds’ husband had been mistreating her, Hamilton offered his “help” — and the situation unraveled from there. Reynolds’ husband found out about the affair and blackmailed Hamilton for money. He threatened to expose Hamilton’s wrongdoings to his wife. It was a very messy situation that became public knowledge and dashed any hopes Hamilton had of becoming president.
(Read the full lyrics.)
Track 7 (Part 2): “Cabinet Battle #2”
LYRICS:
HAMILTON:You must be out of your goddamn mindIf you thinkThe President is going to bring the nation to the brinkOf 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!”
EXPLAINED:
In this number, Hamilton and Jefferson try to convince Washington to see their side regarding the issue of U.S. involvement in the French Revolution. Hamilton is against getting the then-young country involved in another war. Jefferson, who is secretary of state, argues that the U.S. owes France because they were instrumental in helping the colonies win their independence. Jefferson accuses Hamilton of being disloyal. Ultimately, Washington sides with Hamilton.
(Read the full lyrics.)
‘The Hamilton Mixtape’ tracklist
Can we just say The Hamilton Mixtape, is ahhh-mazing! The artists and collaborations are simply mind-blowing — including Chance the Rapper, Alicia Keys, Nas, Sia, Ashanti and Ja Rule. When has history ever been this sonically pleasing? Perhaps never.
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