The 30 Best Lyrics From Act One of Hamilton | The Odyssey Online
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The 30 Best Lyrics From Act One of Hamilton

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The 30 Best Lyrics From Act One of Hamilton
The Nation

Hamilton's songs are full of complex rhymes and themes and are catchy as hell. The entire album is pure genius, but I wanted to highlight some of my favorite lyrics. I chose the lyrics that are relatable or understandable outside of the context, which means less thematic messages and more of the mic-drop moments. And because there are so many great lyrics, I focused on Act I only for now.


1. When America sings for you / will they know what you overcame? / Will they know you rewrote the game? / The world will never be the same, oh.
--Alexander Hamilton

2. Another immigrant comin' up from the bottom.
--Alexander Hamilton

3. Up in it, lovin' it, yes I heard your mother said "Come again?" / Lock up your daughters and horses, of course it's hard to have intercourse over four sets of corsets.
--Aaron Burr, Sir

4. If you stand for nothing, Burr, what'll you fall for?
--Aaron Burr, Sir

5. Hey yo, I'm just like my country / I'm young, scrappy and hungry / And I'm not throwing away my shot!
--My Shot

6. Laurens, I like you a lot.
--My Shot

Yes, Hamilton definitely liked Laurens a lot.

7. Oh, am I talkin' too loud? / Sometimes I get over excited, shoot off at the mouth / I never had a group of friends before / I promise that I'll make y'all proud.
--My Shot

8. Rise up! / When you're living on your knees, you rise up / tell your brother that he's gotta rise up / tell your sister that she's gotta rise up.
--My Shot

9. Raise a glass to freedom / Something they can never take away / no matter what they tell you.
--The Story of Tonight

10. I'm a trust fund, baby, you can trust me!
--The SchuylerSisters

A really fun game to play is "Who Said It? A Frat guy or Aaron Burr?"

11. You want a Revolution? I want a revelation / So listen to my declaration: / "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal" / And when I meet Thomas Jefferson / I'm a compel him to include women in the sequel!
--The Schuyler Sisters

Exhibit A as to why Angelica is Queen.

12. My dog speaks more eloquently than thee! / But strangely, your mange is the same.
--Farmer Refuted

This song is the ultimate disk track. If you ever want to try some new (or old) comebacks on your enemy, this is the song to steal them from.

13. Cuz when push comes to shove / I will kill your friends and family to remind you of my love
--You'll Be Back

Oh, King George, always the romantic.

14. We are outgunned (What?) / Outmanned (What?) / Outnumbered, Outnumbered / We gotta make an all out stand / Ayo, I;m gonna need a right-hand man
--Right Hand Man

Never has George Washington been a bigger badass than in this song. The real OG.

15. Dying is easy, young man. Living is harder.
--Right Hand Man

16. But what do we have in common? / We're reliable with the LADIES / There are so many to deflower!
--A Winter's Ball

Once again, Burr is just the classiest gentleman out there, am I right, ladies??

17. I'm just sayin', if you really loved me, you would share him.
--Helpless

Same, Angelica.

18. So this is what it feels like to match wits with someone at your level! / What the hell is the catch? / It's the feeling of freedom, of seein' the light / It's Ben Franklin with a key and a kite! / You see it, right?
--Satisfied.

19. She's married / I see / She's married to a British officer / Oh shit...
--The Story of Tonight (Reprise)

While I love this exchange between Hamilton and Burr, the best part of this song is Lafayette, Laurens, and Mulligan dancing:


20. Love doesn't discriminate between the sinners and the saints / It takes and it takes and it takes / and we keep loving anyway

and

Death doesn't discriminate between the sinners and the saints / It takes and it takes and it takes / and we keep living anyway
--Wait For It

21. Congress writes, "George, attack the British forces." / I shoot back, we have resorted to eating our horses.
--Stay Alive

22. I'm a General. Whee!!!!
--Stay Alive

Sure, it's not the most complex rhyme in the show, but it's definitely one of the best lyrics.

23. Duel before the sun is in the sky / Pick a place to die where it's high and dry
--Ten Duel Commandements

24. Look 'em in the eye, aim no higher / Summon all the courage you require
--Ten Duel Commandments
25. Ev'ryone give it up for America's favorite fighting frenchman!


--Guns and Ships
26. Let me tell you what I wish I'd known / When I was young and dreamed of glory: You have no control: who lives, who dies, who tells your story
--History Has It's Eyes on You

Of course it's good old Washington to sing one of the most important themes in Hamilton.

27. Immigrants: We get the job done
--Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)

@ Trump: You paying attention?

28. You're on your own / Awesome. Wow.
--What Comes Next?

Salty much, George?

29. You will come of age with our young nation / We'll bleed and fight for you, we'll make it right for you.
--Dear Theodosia

30. Why do you write like you're running out of time? / Write day and night like you're running out of time? / Ev'ry day you fight, like you're running out of time
--Non-Stop


And that's how Act I ends.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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