Hamilton - Lyrics

The Room Where It Happens

[BURR]
Ah, Mister Secretary

[HAMILTON]
Mister Burr, sir

[BURR]
Didja hear the news about good old General Mercer?

[HAMILTON]
No

[BURR]
You know Clermont Street?

[HAMILTON]
Yeah

[BURR]
They renamed it after him. The Mercer legacy is secure

[HAMILTON]
Sure

[BURR]
And all he had to do was die

[HAMILTON]
That's a lot less work

[BURR]
We oughta give it a try

[HAMILTON]
Ha

[BURR]
Now how're you gonna get your debt plan through?

[HAMILTON]
I guess I'm gonna fin'ly have to listen to you

[BURR]
Really?

[HAMILTON]
"Talk less. Smile more."

[BURR]
Ha

[HAMILTON]
Do whatever it takes to get my plan on the Congress floor

[BURR]
Now, Madison and Jefferson are merciless.

[HAMILTON]
Well, hate the sin, love the sinner

[MADISON]
Hamilton!

[HAMILTON]
I'm sorry Burr, I've gotta go

[BURR]
But-

[HAMILTON]
Decisions are happening over dinner

[BURR]
Two Virginians and an immigrant walk into a room

[BURR AND ENSEMBLE]
Diametric'ly opposed, foes

[BURR]
They emerge with a compromise, having opened doors that were

[BURR AND ENSEMBLE]
Previously closed

[ENSEMBLE]
Bros

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:

[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.)

[BURR AND COMPANY]
Thomas claims-

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

[BURR AND COMPANY]
Thomas claims-

[JEFFERSON]
Alexander said-

[HAMILTON]
I've nowhere else to turn!

[JEFFERSON]
And basic'ly begged me to join the fray

[BURR AND COMPANY]
Thomas claims-

[JEFFERSON]
I approached Madison and said-
"I know you hate 'im, but let's hear what he has to say."

[BURR AND COMPANY]
Thomas claims-

[JEFFERSON]
Well, I arranged the meeting
I arranged the menu, the venue, the seating