The Room Where It Happens

About The Room Where It Happens

"The Room Where It Happens" is a song from Act 2 of the musical Hamilton, based on the life of Alexander Hamilton, which premiered on Broadway in 2015. The musical relates the life of Alexander Hamilton and his relationships with his family and Aaron Burr. The book, music, and lyrics of the musical, including this song, were composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The song relates the story of the Compromise of 1790.

Year:

2015

5:18

19,209 Views

Playlists:

#18

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Ah, Mister Secretary

Mister Burr, sir

Did'ya hear the news about good old General Mercer

No

You know Clermont Street

Yeah

They renamed it after him, the Mercer legacy is secure

Sure

And all he had to do was die

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 fin'ly have to listen to you

Really

Talk less, smile more

Ha

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

Diametric'ly 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	 
 
Thomas claims

Alexander was on Washington's doorstep one day
In distress 'n disarray

Thomas claims

Alexander said

I've nowhere else to turn

And basic'ly begged me to join the fray

Thomas claims

I approached Madison and said
I know you hate ‘im, but let's hear what he has to say

Thomas claims

Well, I arranged the meeting
I arranged the menu, the venue, the seating

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
Ev'ry game of chess
We just assume that it happens
But no one else is in
The room where it happens	 
 
Meanwhile

Madison is grappling with the fact that not ev'ry issue can be settled by committee

Meanwhile

Congress is fighting over where to put the capital

It isn't pretty
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, in other words

Oh ho

A quid pro quo

I suppose

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

Actually, I would

Well, I propose the Potomac

And you'll provide him his votes

Well, we'll see how it goes

Let's go

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

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

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 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

What do you want, Burr
What do you want, Burr

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

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

I

Wanna be
In the room where it happens

I

I wanna be in the room
Oh
Oh

I wanna be in
The room where it happens
The room where it happens
The room where it happens

I wanna be in the room
Where it happens
The room where it happens
The room where it happen
 
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

I've got to be in
The room (where it happens)

I've got to be (the room where it happens)

I've got to be (the room where it happens)

Oh, I've got to be in
The room where it happens
I've got to be, I've gotta be, I've gotta be
In the room

Click boom

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Lin-Manuel Miranda

Lin-Manuel Miranda (; born January 16, 1980) is a Puerto Rican composer, lyricist, playwright, rapper, and actor best known for creating and starring in the Broadway musicals In the Heights and Hamilton. He co-wrote the songs for Walt Disney Animation Studios' Moana soundtrack (2016) and co-starred in the film Mary Poppins Returns. Miranda's awards include a Pulitzer Prize, three Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, a MacArthur Fellowship, three Tony Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Miranda was awarded the Kennedy Center Honor in 2018. Miranda wrote the music and lyrics for the musical In the Heights, which premiered on Broadway in 2008. For this work, he won the 2008 Tony Award for Best Original Score, the show's cast album won the 2009 Grammy Award… more »

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