Let me be straight with you- at this point, who does not know "Hamilton"? No one? Good.
Fourteen months after its premiere in New York, the name Hamilton no longer refers solely to the American politician in the minds of most. Well, it does- just of one which raps and does hip-hop.
The creator of Broadway's newest hit musical, one Lin-Manuel Miranda, has changed all that, transforming what we think of American history and enticing our curiosity in the subject otherwise made bland and difficult to swallow in high school social studies classes.There's something about music there seems that just makes it so much better.
Through his artful choreography and lyrics, Miranda has altered the story of Alexander Hamilton into one which his audiences can get grasp. They understand the metaphors, the rebellions, and the relationships, and best of all, they can attribute them to their own lives as any good story allows.
Here are ten snippets from "Hamilton" to push you that extra mile and get you through the day.
1. "There's a million things I haven't done, just you wait."
Technically, there are a million things you haven't done, but that's fine. You'll get there eventually.
2. "I am not throwing away my shot."
We all have them, and we all have to acknowledge them if we want to take advantage of what they can do for us.
3. "I am the one thing in life I can control. I am inimitable. I am an original."
Your friends can do whatever they'd like and your parents can make you think they press all the buttons, but ultimately, you have to do you or nothing's going to happen.
4. "Why do you write like you're running out of time?"
Why do any of us? We do things too fast and don't know when (or if) we should slow down. We've got to remember sometimes to breath not like we won't have enough air, but like we'll never be able to drown.
5. "And when my prayers to God were met with indifference, I picked up a pen, I wrote my own deliverance."
Just because you've asked for help does not mean you will receive it. Often, you have to simply write your own course of action and take control for your own person.
If you want something done right, do it yourself.
6. "I know that we can win, I know that greatness lies in you. But remember from here on in, history has its eyes on you."
You can do a lot. You can do anything you set your mind to. Just make sure you do what is right and what you believe in.
7. “I wrote my way out of hell. I wrote my way to revolution. I was louder than the crack in the bell."
Keep doing what you do and be proud of what you can accomplish.
8. “I don’t pretend to know the challenges we’re facing."
You have to admit ignorance in order to overcome the unknown.
9. “There are moments that the words don’t reach. There is a grace too powerful to name. We push away what we can never understand. We push away the unimaginable.”
But oftentimes we don't want to do this. Admitting defeat is not common to our agenda and we convince ourselves that if we don't understand it, it is not pertinent to our being. Having trust in these things and our ability to face them is fundamental to our lives.
10. “I will not equivocate on my opinion—I have always worn it on my sleeve.”
We must state what we believe not to confuse the issue and conceal our intention, but to stand firm in our opinions and faithful in our knowledge.
So even if you don't know "Hamilton" beyond the Tony's or the man Alexander Hamilton beyond high school, even if you don't like rap or music or theatrical performances, it is impossible not to see the value in the words above. Whether you're a die-hard fan with the soundtrack on shuffle, a closet enthusiast, or simply fed-up with all the Ham-mania, you must admit that every now and again, "You'll be back."
