Questlove - Non-Stop lyrics

[BURR] After the war I went back to New York [HAMILTON] A-After the war I went back to New York [BURR] I finished up my studies and I practiced law [HAMILTON] I practiced law, Burr worked next door [BURR] 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 [BURR & ENSEMBLE] Non-stop! [HAMILTON] 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— [ENSEMBLE] Non-stop! [HAMILTON] I intend to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt With my a**istant counsel— [BURR] Co-counsel Hamilton, sit down Our client Levi Weeks is innocent. Call your first witness That's all you had to say! [HAMILTON] Okay! One more thing— [BURR] Why do you a**ume you're the smartest in the room? Why do you a**ume you're the smartest in the room? Why do you a**ume you're the smartest in the room? Soon that attitude may be your doom! [ENSEMBLE] Awwww! [BURR] 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— [ENSEMBLE] Why do you write like you're running out of time? Ev'ry day you fight, like you're running out of time Non-stop! [HAMILTON] 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 [HAMILTON] Honestly, that's why public service Seems to be calling me [BURR & ENSEMBLE] He's just Non-stop! [HAMILTON] 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 [ENSEMBLE] Awww! [BURR] Hamilton, at the Constitutional Convention: [HAMILTON] I was chosen for the Constitutional Convention! [BURR] There as a New York junior delegate: [HAMILTON] Now what I'm going to say may sound indelicate… [BURR] Goes and proposes his own form of government! His own plan for a new form of government! [COMPANY] Awwww! What? What? [BURR] Talks for six hours! The convention is listless! [ENSEMBLE MAN] Bright young man… [ANOTHER ENSEMBLE MAN] Yo, who the f is this? [BURR] Why do you always say what you believe? Why do you always say what you believe? Ev'ry proclamation guarantees free ammunition for your enemies! [BURR & MEN] Why do you write like it's Going out of style? Write day and night like it's Going out of style? [COMPANY] Why do you always say what you believe? Awww! [ALL WOMEN] Going out of style, hey! Going out of style, hey! [BURR & COMPANY] Ev'ry day you fight like it's Going out of style Do what you do [BURR] Alexander? [HAMILTON] Aaron Burr, sir [BURR] It's the middle of the night [HAMILTON] Can we confer, sir? [BURR] Is this a legal matter? [HAMILTON] Yes, and it's important to me [BURR] What do you need? [HAMILTON] Burr, you're a better lawyer than me [BURR] Okay [HAMILTON] 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 [BURR] Who's your client? [HAMILTON] The new U.S. Constitution? [BURR] No [HAMILTON] Hear me out [BURR] No way! [HAMILTON] A series of essays, anonymously published Defending the document to the public [BURR] No one will read it [HAMILTON] I disagree [BURR] And if it fails? [HAMILTON] Burr, that's why we need it [BURR] The constitution's a mess [HAMILTON] So it needs amendments [BURR] It's full of contradictions [HAMILTON] So is independence We have to start somewhere [BURR] No. No way [HAMILTON] You're making a mistake [BURR] Good night [HAMILTON] Hey What are you waiting for? What do you stall for? [BURR] What? [HAMILTON] We won the war What was it all for? Do you support this constitution? [BURR] Of course [HAMILTON] Then defend it [BURR] And what if you're backing the wrong horse? [HAMILTON] Burr, we studied and we fought and we k**ed 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 [BURR] I'll keep all my plans Close to my chest 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 [ENSEMBLE] Wait for it, wait for It, wait… Which way the wind Will blow I'm taking my time Watching the Afterbirth of a nation Watching the tension grow [ANGELICA] 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 [HAMILTON] Angelica [ANGELICA] Don't forget to write [ELIZA] 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? [BURR] 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! [BURR] How do you write like you're Running out of time? Write day and night like you're Running out of time? [BURR AND MEN] Ev'ry day you fight like you're Running out of time like you're Running out of time Are you running out of time? [ALL WOMEN] Running out of time? Running out of time? Running out of time Running out of time Awwww! [FULL COMPANY (EXCEPT HAMILTON)] 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? [WASHINGTON] 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 [HAMILTON] Treasury or State? [WASHINGTON] I know it's a lot to ask [HAMILTON] Treasury or State? [WASHINGTON] To leave behind the world you know… [HAMILTON] Sir, do you want me to run the Treasury or State department? [WASHINGTON] Treasury [HAMILTON] Let's go [ELIZA] Alexander… [HAMILTON] I have to leave [ELIZA] Alexander— [HAMILTON] Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now [ELIZA] Helpless… [HAMILTON] They are asking me to lead [ELIZA] Look around, isn't this enough? [ANGELICA] He will never be satisfied He will never be satisfied Satisfied Satisfied… He will never be satisfied Satisfied… Satisfied... Why do you fight like [ELIZA] What would be enough To Be satisfied Satisfied Satisfied… Look around Look around! Isn't this enough? What would be enough? Why do you fight like [WASH] History has its eyes… On… You! [WASH/MULL/LAUR/LAF] History has its eyes… On… You... [BURR] Why do you a**ume you're the smartest in the room? Why do you a**ume you're the smartest in the room? Why do you a**ume you're the smartest in the room? Soon that attitude's gonna be your doom! Why do you fight like you're running out of time? Why do you fight like [Ens] Non-stop! Non-stop! Non-stop! Non-stop! [COMPANY] History has its eyes on you [HAMILTON] I am not throwin' away my shot! I am not throwin' away my shot! I am Alexander Hamilton! I am not throwin' away my shot! [MEN] Just you wait! [FULL COMPANY] Just you wait! Alexander Hamilton Hamilton, just you wait!