The Room Where It Happens Songtext
von Lin‐Manuel Miranda

Ah, Mr. Secretary!

Mr. Burr, sir

Did you hear the news about good old General Mercer?

No

You know Claremont street?

Yeah

They renamed it after him
The Mercer legacy is secure

Sure

And all he had to do is die

And that′s a lot less work!

We ought to give it a try

Heh

And how you gonna get your debt plan through?

I guess I'm gonna have to finally listen to you.

Really?

Talk less, smile more

Haha!

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 gotta go
But decisions are happening over dinner

Two Virginians and an immigrant walk into a room

Diametrically opposed
Foes

They emerge with a compromise
Having open 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 and disarray

(Thomas claims)

Alexander said, "I′ve nowhere else to turn"
And basically begged me to join the fray

(Thomas claims)

I approached Madison and said
"I know you hate him 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 every game of chess
We just assume that it happens
But no else is in the room where it happens

(Meanwhile)

Madison is grappling with the fact
That not every issue can be settled by committee

(Meanwhile)

Congress is fighting over where to put the capital

It isn′t pretty
Jefferson approaches with the dinner invite
Madison responds with Virginian insight

Maybe we could solve one problem with another
And win a victory for the Southerners
In other words

Ho 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 never really know what got discussed
Click boom! Then it happened
But 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
But 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?)
What do you want Burr? (What do you want Burr?)
If you stand for nothing then what′ll you fall for? (What do you want Burr?)

I, 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 (I wanna be in the room where it happens)
I wanna be 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 where it happens)
The room where it happens

I wanna be in the room where it happens (Oh)
The room where it happens
The room where it happens (I wanna be in the room)

I wanna be in the room where it happens (I've got to be, I′ve got to be)
The room where it happens (Oh)
The room where it happens (That big old room, oh)

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 (room where it happens)

I gotta be (the room where it happens)
I gotta be (the room where it happens)
I've got to be in the room (the room where it happens)
I gotta be, I gotta be, gotta be (the room where it happens)
In the room (I wanna be in the room where it happens)

Click, boom