Stay Alive Songtext
von Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton

Stay alive
Stay alive

I have never seen the General so despondent
I have taken over writing all his correspondence
Congress writes, "George, attack the British forces"
I shoot back, we have resorted to eating our horses
Local merchants deny us equipment, assistance
They only take British money, so sing a song of sixpence

The cavalry′s not coming
But, sir
Alex, listen, there's only one way for us to win this
Provoke outrage

Outright
That′s right
Don't engage, strike by night
Remain relentless 'til their troops take flight
Make it impossible to justify the cost of the fight (uh-huh)


Outrun
Outrun
Outlast
Outlast
Hit ′em quick, get out fast
Chick-a-plao!

Stay alive ′til this horror show is past
We're gonna fly a lot of flags half-mast
(Raise a glass)
I go back to New York and my apprenticeship
I ask for French aid, I pray that France has sent a ship
I stay at work with Hamilton, we write essays against slavery
And every day′s a test of our camaraderie and bravery

We cut supply lines, we steal contraband
We pick and choose our battles and places to take a stand
And every day, sir, entrust me with a command
And every day-
No
He dismisses me out of hand

(Stay alive) instead of me, he promotes Charles Lee
Makes him second-in-command
(I'm a general, whee!)
Yeah, he′s not the choice I woulda gone with
He shits the bed at the Battle of Monmouth


Everyone, attack!
Retreat!
Attack!
Retreat!
What are you doing, Lee? Get back on your feet!
But there's so many of them
I′m sorry, is this not your speed?

Hamilton
Ready, sir
Have Lafayette take the lead
Yes, sir

A thousand soldiers die in a hundred-degree heat
As we snatch a stalemate from the jaws of defeat
Charles Lee was left behind without a pot to piss in
He started saying this to anybody who would listen

Washington cannot be left alone to his devices
Indecisive from crisis to crisis
The best thing he can do for the revolution
Is turn 'n go back to plantin' tobacco in Mount Vernon

(Ooh!)
Don′t do a thing, history will prove him wrong
But, sir
We have a war to fight, let′s move along
Strong words from Lee, someone oughta hold him to it
I can't disobey direct orders
Then I′ll do it

Alexander, you're the closest friend I′ve got
Laurens, do not throw away your shot