The Room Where It Happens

[ Aaron Burr ] 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:

[ Aaron Burr & ENSEMBLE] 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 The room where it happened (The room where it happened) No one really knows how the game is played (Game is played) The art of the trade How the sausage gets made (How the sausage gets made) We just assume that it happens (Assume that it happens) But no one else is in The room where it happens. (The room where it happens.)

[ Aaron Burr AND COMPANY] Thomas claims—

[ Thomas Jefferson ] Alexander was on Washington’s doorstep one day In distress ‘n disarray

[ Aaron Burr AND COMPANY] Thomas claims—

[ Thomas Jefferson ] Alexander said—

[ Alexander Hamilton ] I’ve nowhere else to turn!

[ Thomas Jefferson ] And basic’ly begged me to join the fray

[ Aaron Burr AND COMPANY] Thomas claims—

[ Thomas Jefferson ] I approached Madison and said— “I know you hate ‘im, but let’s hear what he has to say.”

[ Aaron Burr AND COMPANY] Thomas claims—

[ Thomas Jefferson ] Well, I arranged the meeting I arranged the menu, the venue, the seating

[ Aaron Burr ] But! No one else was in—

[ Aaron Burr AND COMPANY] The room where it happened The room where it happened The room where it happened

[ Aaron Burr ] No one else was in—

[ Aaron Burr AND COMPANY] The room where it happened The room where it happened The room where it happened

[ Aaron Burr & COMPANY] No one really knows how the Parties get to yesssss (Parties get to yesssss) The pieces that are sacrificed in (Ev’ry game of chesssss) Ev’ry game of chesssss We just assume that it happens (Assume that it happens) But no one else is in (The room where it happens) The room where it happens

[ Aaron Burr AND COMPANY] Meanwhile—

[ Aaron Burr ] Madison is grappling with the fact that not ev’ry issue can be settled by committee

[COMPANY] Meanwhile—

[ Aaron Burr ] Congress is fighting over where to put the capital—

Company screams in chaos

[ Aaron Burr ] It isn’t pretty Then Jefferson approaches with a dinner and invite And Madison responds with Virginian insight:

[ James Madison ] Maybe we can solve one problem with another and win a victory for the Southerners, in other words—

[ Thomas Jefferson ] Oh-ho!

[ James Madison ] A quid pro quo

[ Thomas Jefferson ] I suppose

[ James Madison ] Wouldn’t you like to work a little closer to home?

[ Thomas Jefferson ] Actually, I would

[ James Madison ] Well, I propose the Potomac

[ Thomas Jefferson ] And you’ll provide him his votes?

[ James Madison ] Well, we’ll see how it goes

[ Thomas Jefferson ] Let’s go

[ Aaron Burr ] No!

[COMPANY] —one else was in The room where it happened

[ Aaron Burr AND COMPANY] 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

[ Aaron Burr ] My God!

[ Aaron Burr AND COMPANY] In God we trust But we’ll never really know what got discussed Click-boom then it happened

[ Aaron Burr ] And no one else was in the room where it happened

[COMPANY] Alexander Hamilton!

[ Aaron Burr ] What did they say to you to get you to sell New York City down the river?

[COMPANY] Alexander Hamilton!

[ Aaron Burr ] Did Washington know about the dinner? Was there Presidential pressure to deliver?

[COMPANY] Alexander Hamilton!

[ Aaron Burr ] Or did you know, even then, it doesn’t matter Where you put the U.S. Capital?

[ Alexander Hamilton ] Cuz we’ll have the banks We’re in the same spot

[ Aaron Burr ] You got more than you gave

[ Alexander Hamilton ] 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…

[ Alexander Hamilton AND COMPANY] Wait for it, wait for it, wait!

[ Alexander Hamilton ] God help and forgive me I wanna build Something that’s gonna Outlive me

[ Alexander Hamilton / Thomas Jefferson / James Madison / George Washington & COMPANY] What do you want, Burr? (What do you want, Burr?) What do you want, Burr? (What do you want, Burr?) If you stand for nothing (What do you want, Burr?) Burr, then what do you fall for? (What do you want?)

[ Aaron Burr ] 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

[ Aaron Burr & COMPANY] I I wanna be in The room where it happens Wanna be (The room where it happens) In the room where it happens (The room where it happens) I (I wanna be in the room) Where it happens I wanna be in the room… (The room where it happens) Oh (The room where it happens) Oh (I wanna be in) The room where it happens I wanna be (The room where it happens) I wanna be (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)

[COMPANY] The art of the compromise—

[ Aaron Burr ] Hold your nose and close your eyes

[COMPANY] We want our leaders to save the day—

[ Aaron Burr ] But we don’t get a say in what they trade away

[COMPANY] We dream of a brand new start—

[ Aaron Burr ] But we dream in the dark for the most part

[ Aaron Burr AND COMPANY] Dark as a tomb where it happens

[ Aaron Burr & COMPANY] I’ve got to be in The room… (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… (The room where it happens) I’ve got to be, I’ve gotta be (The room where it happens) I’ve gotta be… In the room! (I wanna be in the room) Where it happens! Click-boom! (Click-boom!)

📖 About

Jefferson, Madison, and Hamilton confer over the nation's affairs, "opening doors that were previously closed", or, in other words, creating new opportunities for America's financial progress. Hamilton receives enormous financial power while Jefferson and Madison's bargain is, essentially, to move the nation's capital to a site closer to their Virginian residences. Burr's motives are finally revealed, as he expresses his simple envy-fueled desire for political power, cementing him as an antagonist.

Untitled

<aside> ⏪ Previous Track

</aside>

<aside> <img src="https://images.genius.com/3d49fcb34aa21fccd06f2b3c818146fd.1000x1000x1.png" alt="https://images.genius.com/3d49fcb34aa21fccd06f2b3c818146fd.1000x1000x1.png" width="40px" /> Home

</aside>

<aside> ⏩ Next Track

</aside>