Single / Track

The Room Where It Happens

Leslie Odom Jr., Lin-Manuel Miranda, Daveed Diggs, Okieriete Onaodowan, & Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton•Official Audio (YouTube API)

Lyrics

Ah, Mister Secretary

Mister Burr, sir

Did ya hear the news about good old General Mercer?

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

No one else was in 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"

Well, I arranged the meeting

I arranged the menu, the venue, the seating

No one else was in 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

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

Madison is grappling with the fact that

Not every issue can be settled by committee

Congress is fighting over where to put the capital-

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

Wouldn't you like to work a little closer to home?

Well, I propose the Potomac

And you'll provide him his votes?

Well, we'll see how it goes

One else was in 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

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 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?)

If you stand for nothing, Burr (what do you want, Burr?)

Then what do you fall for? (What do you want?)

Wanna be in the room where it happens

The room where it happens

Wanna be in the room where it happens

The room where it happens

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 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)

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

The room (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)

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The Room Where It Happens

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