Take a Break

Un-deux-trois-quatre-cinq-six-sept-huit-neuf (un-deux-trois-quatre-cinq-six-sept-huit-neuf ) Good, un deux trois quatre cinq six sept huit (un-deux-trois-quatre-cinq-six-sept-huit-neuf ) Sept-huit-neuf (sept-huit-neuf) Sept-huit-neuf (sept-huit-neuf) One-two-three-four-five-six-seven-eight-nine My dearest, Angelica, tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow Creeps in this petty pace from day to day I trust you'll understand the reference to another Scottish tragedy without my having to name the play They think me Macbeth, and ambition is my folly I'm a polymath, a pain in the ass, a massive pain Madison is Banquo, Jefferson's Macduff And Birnam Wood is Congress on its way to Dunsinane And there you are, an ocean away Do you have to live an ocean away Thoughts of you subside Then I get another letter I cannot put the notion away Take a break I am on my way There's a little surprise before supper and it cannot wait I'll be there in just a minute, save my plate Alexander (okay, okay) Your son is nine years old today He has something he'd like to say He's been practicing all day Philip, take it away Daddy, daddy, look My name is Philip I am a poet, I wrote this poem jus to show it And I just turned nine You can write rhymes but you can't write mine (What) I practice French and play piano with my mother I have a sister, but I want a little brother (okay) My daddy's trying to start America's bank Un deux trois quatre cinq (bravo) Take a break Hey, our kid is pretty great Run away with us for the summer, let's go upstate Eliza, I've got so much on my plate We can all go stay with my father There's a lake I know (I know) In a nearby park (I'd love to go) You and I can go when the night gets dark I will try to get away My dearest Alexander You must get through to Jefferson Sit down with him and compromise Don't stop 'til you agree Your favourite older sister Angelica, reminds you There's someone in your corner all the way across the sea In a letter I received from you two weeks ago I noticed a comma in the middle of a phrase It changed the meaning, did you intend this One stroke and you've consumed my waking days, it says My dearest Angelica With a comma after dearest, you've written My dearest, Angelica Anyway, all this to say I'm coming home this summer at my sister's invitation I'll be there with your family if you make your way upstate I know you're very busy I know your work's important But I'm crossing the ocean and I just can't wait You won't be an ocean away You will only be a moment away Alexander, come downstairs, Angelica's arriving today Angelica Eliza The Schuyler sisters Alexander Hi It's good to see your face Angelica, tell this man John Adams spends the summer with his family Angelica, tell my wife John Adams doesn't have a real job anyway You're not joining us, wait I'm afraid I cannot join you upstate Alexander, I came all this way She came all this way (all this way, take a break) You know I have to get my plan through Congress Run away with us for the summer let's go upstate I lose my job if I don't get my plan through Congress We can all go stay with our father There's a lake I know (I know I'll miss you face) (In a nearby park) (screw your courage to the sticking place) You and I can go (Eliza's right) Take a break and get away Run away with us for the summer (let's go upstate) Where we can stay (we can all go stay with our father) If you take your time (look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now) You will make your mark Close your eyes and dream When the night gets dark Take a break I have to get my plan through Congress I can't stop until I get this plan through Congress