Non-stop Lyrics - Leslie Odom, Jr.

After the war I went back to New York 

A-after the war I went back to New York 

I finished up my studies and I practiced law. 

I practiced law, Burr worked next door. 

Even though we started at the very same time 

Alexander Hamilton began to climb. 

How to account for his rise to the top? 

Maaaaan, the man is non-stop! 

Gentlemen of the jury, I'm curious, bear with me. 

Are you aware that we're making hist'ry? 

This is the first murder trial of our brand-new nation. 

The liberty behind 

deliberation- 

Non-stop! 

I intend to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt 

with my assistant counsel— 

Co-counsel. 

Hamilton, sit down. 

Our client Levi Weeks is innocent. Call your 

first witness. 

That's all you had to say! 

Okay! 

One more thing- 

Why do you assume you're the smartest in 

the room? 

Why do you assume you're the smartest in the room? 

Why do you assume you're the smartest in the room? 

Soon that attitude may be your doom! 

Why do you write like 

you're running out of time? 

Write day and night like you're running out of time? 

Ev'ry day you fight, like you're running out of time. 

Keep on fighting. In the meantime— 

Non-stop! 

Corruption's such an old song that we can sing 

along in harmony and nowhere is it stronger 

than in Albany. 

This colony's economy's increasingly stalling and 

Honestly that's why He's just public service seems 

to be calling me. 

Non-stop! 

I practiced the law, I practic'ly perfected it. 

I've seen injustice in the world and I've corrected it. 

Now for a strong central democracy 

If not, then I'll be Socrates 

Throwing verbal rocks at these mediocrities. 

Hamilton, at the Constitutional Convention: 

I was chosen for the Constitutional Convention. 

There as a New York junior delegate: 

Now what I'm going 

to say may sound indelicate . . . 

Goes and proposes his own form of government! 

What? 

His own plan for a new form of government! 

What? 

Talks for six hours! The convention is listless! 

Bright young man... 

Yo, who the eff is this? 

Why do you always say what you believe? 

Why do you always Why do you always 

say what you believe? say what you believe? 

Ev'ry proclamation guarantees free ammunition for your enemies! 

Awww! 

Why do you write like it's going out of style? Going out of style 

hey! 

Write day and night like it's 

Going out of style? Going out of style 

hey! 

Ev'ry day you fight like it's going out of style. 

Do what you do. 

Alexander? 

Aaron Burr, sir. 

It's the middle of the night. 

Can we confer, sir? 

Is this a legal matter? 

Yes, and it's important to me. 

What do you need? 

Burr, you're a better lawyer than me. 

Okay. 

I know I talk too much, I'm abrasive. 

You're incredible in court. You're succinct 

persuasive. 

My client needs a strong defense. You're the 

solution. 

Who's your client? 

The new U.S. Constitution? 

No. 

Hear me out. 

No way! 

A series of essays, anonymously published 

defending the document to the public. 

No one will read it. 

I disagree. 

And if it fails? 

Burr, that's why we need it. 

The constitution's a mess. 

So it needs amendments. 

It's full of contradictions. 

So is independence. 

We have to start somewhere. 

No. No way. 

You're making a mistake. 

Good night. 

Hey. 

What are you waiting for? 

What do you stall for? 

What? 

We won the war. 

What was it all for? 

Do you support this constitution? 

Of course. 

Then defend it. 

And what if you're backing the wrong horse? 

Burr, we studied and we fought and we killed 

for the notion of a nation we now get to build. 

For once in your life, take a stand with pride. 

I don't understand how you stand to the side. I'll keep all my plans 

close to my chest. 

Wait for it, wait for it, wait... 

I'll wait here and see which way 

the wind will blow. 

I'm taking my time, watching the 

afterbirth of a nation 

watching the tension grow. 

I am sailing off to London. I'm accompanied 

by someone who always pays. 

I have found a wealthy husband who will keep 

me in comfort for all my days. 

He is not a lot of fun, but there's no one who 

can match you for turn of phrase. 

My Alexander. 

Angelica. 

Don't forget to write. 

Look at where you are. 

Look at where you started. 

The fact that you're alive is a miracle. 

Just stay alive, that would be enough. 

And if your wife could share a fraction of your time 

if I could grant you peace of mind 

would that be enough? 

Alexander joins forces with James Madison 

and John Jay to write a series of essays 

defending the new United States Constitution 

entitled The Federalist Papers. 

The plan was to write a total of twenty-five 

essays, the work divided evenly among the 

three men. In the end, they wrote eighty-five 

essays, in the span of six months. John Jay 

got sick after writing five. James Madison 

wrote twenty-nine. Hamilton wrote the other 

fifty-one. 

How do you write like you're running out of time? Running out of time? 

Write day and night like you're 

running out of time? running out of time? 

Ev'ry day you fight, like you're 

running out of time, running out of time, like you're 

running out of time, running out of time, are you 

running out of time? Awwww! 

How do you write like tomorrow won't arrive? 

How do you write like you need it to survive? 

How do you write ev'ry second you're alive? 

Ev'ry second you're alive? Ev'ry second 

you're alive? 

They are asking me to lead. 

I am doing the best I can 

to get the people that I need 

I'm asking you to be my right hand man. 

Treasury or State? 

I know it's a lot to ask 

Treasury or State? 

To leave behind the world you know... 

Sir, do you want me to run the Treasury or 

State department? 

Treasury. 

Let's go. 

Alexander... 

I have to leave. 

Alexander- 

Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now. 

Helpless... 

They are asking me to lead. 

Look around, isn't this enough? 

He never will be satisfied (What would be enough) 

He will never be satisfied, (To be satisfied) 

(satisfied,) 

satisfied, (satisfied,) 

satisfied... (satisfied...) 

History has its eyes... on... you (look around) 

Why do you assume you're the smartest in the room? 

Why do you assume you're the smartest in the (look around) room? (Non-stop) 

Why do 

(He will) You assume you're 

(never be satisfied) (isn't this) the smartest in the 

room. (Non-) 

(satisfied,) (enough) 

(What would be enough?) Soon that attitude's (stop!) 

(satisfied...) gonna 

(history has its) be your doom! (Non-) 

(eyes...) Why do you (stop!) 

fight 

(on...) like you're 

(you...) running out of time? (Non-) 

(Why do you) 

(Why do you fight like) (fight) Why do you fight like (stop) 

(like) 

history has its eyes on (history) 

you... (has its) 

(eyes on you...) 

I am not throwin' away my 

shot! J(ust you wait!) 

I am not throwin' away my 

shot! (Just you wait!) 

I am 

Alexander Hamilton! (Alexander Hamilton) 

(Hamilton, just you wait!) 

I am not throwin' away my shot! 

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