Hamilton - The Room Where It Happens

[Burr] Ah, Mr Secretary! [Hamilton] Mr Burr, sir!

[Burr] Did you hear the news about good old general Mercer?

[Ham] No [Burr] You know Clermont Street? [Ham] Yeah

[Burr] They renamed it after him, the Mercer legacy is secure [Ham] Sure

[Burr] And all he had to do was die. [Ham] That's a lot less work

[Burr] We outta give it a try! [Ham] Ha!

[Burr] Now how're you gonna get your debt plan through?

[Ham] I guess I'm gonna finally have to listen to you [Burr] Really?

[Ham] Talk less, smile more [Burr] Ha!

[Ham] Do whatever it takes to get my plan on the congress floor

[Burr] Now, Madison and Jefferson are merciless

[Ham] Well, hate the sin, love the sinner

[Madison] Hamilton! [Ham] I'm sorry, Burr, I've gotta go!

[Burr] But- [Ham] Decisions are happening over dinner.

[Burr] 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.

[Burr] Thomas claims— [Jefferson] Alexander was on Washington’s doorstep one day in distress and disarray

[Burr]Thomas claims— [Jeff] Alexander said— [Ham] I’ve nowhere else to turn!

[Jeff] And basically begged me to join the fray

[Burr] Thomas claims— [Jeff] I approached Madison and said—

“I know you hate him, but let’s hear what he has to say.”

[Burr] Thomas claims— [Jeff] Well, I arranged the meeting. I arranged the menu, the venue, the seating

[Burr] 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.

[Burr] 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-

[company screams incoherently] it isn't pretty

Then Jefferson approaches with a dinner and invite

and Madison responds with Virginian insight:

[Madison] Maybe we can solve one problem with another

and win a victory for the Southerners, in other words—

(No Chord)

[Mad] Wouldn’t you like to work a little closer to home?

[Jeff] Actually, I would [Mad] Well, I propose the Potomac

[Jeff] And you’ll provide him his votes? [Mad] Well, we’ll see how it goes

[Jeff] Let’s go!

[Burr] 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

[Burr] 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

[Company] Alexander Hamilton!

[Burr]What did they say to you to get you to sell New York City down the river?

[Company] Alexander Hamilton!

[Burr] Did Washington know about the dinner?

Was there presidential pressure to deliver?

[Company] Alexander Hamilton!

[Burr] Or did you know, even then, it doesn’t matter where you put the U.S. Capital?

[Ham] Cuz we’ll have the banks, we’re in the same spot [Burr] You got more than you gave!

[Ham] 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

[Everyone] What do you want, Burr? What do you want, Burr?

If you stand for nothing Burr, then what do you fall for?

[Burr] 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

(x5, build in a crescendo, on third return repeat go to regular chorus)

[Comp] The art of the compromise—

[Burr] Hold your nose and close your eyes

[Comp] We want our leaders to save the day—

[Burr] But we don’t get a say in what they trade away

[Comp] We dream of a brand new start—

[Burr] But we dream in the dark for the most part

[Burr] Dark as a tomb where it happens

I've got to be in the room where it happens

[Company, while Burr riffs overtop]

I've got to be...

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... I've gotta be... In the room

Click-boom!