Christopher Jackson, Daveed Diggs, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Okieriete Onaodowan - Cabinet Battle #2 lyrics

The issue on the table: France is on
The verge of war with England
And do we provide aid and our troops to our
French allies or do we stay out of it?
Remember, my decision on this matter is
Not subject to congressional approval
The only person you have to convince is me
Secretary Jefferson, you have the floor, sir

When we were on death’s door
When we were needy
We made a promise, we signed a treaty
We needed money and guns and half a chance
Who provided those funds?

France

In return, they didn’t ask for land
Only a promise that we’d lend a hand
And stand with them if
They fought against oppressors
And revolution is messy but now
Is the time to stand
Stand with our brothers as
They fight against tyranny
I know that Alexander Hamilton is here and he
Would rather not have this debate
I’ll remind you that he is
Not Secretary of State
He knows nothing of loyalty
Smells like new money
Dresses like fake royalty
Desperate to rise above his station
Everything he does betrays the
Ideals of our nation

Ooh!

Hey, and if ya don’t know, now ya know
Mr president

Thank you, Secretary Jefferson
Secretary Hamilton, your response

You must be out of your
Goddamn mind if you think
The President is gonna bring the
Nation to the brink
Of meddling in the middle of a military mess
A game of chess
Where France is Queen and Kingless
We signed a treaty with a King whose
Head is now in a basket
Would you like to take it out and ask it?
"Should we honor our treaty
King Louis’ head?"
"Uh… do whatever you want, I’m super dead"

Enough hamilton is right

Mr president

We’re too fragile to start another fight

But sir, do we not fight for freedom?

Sure, when the French figure out
Who’s gonna lead ‘em

The people are leading

The people are rioting
There’s a difference frankly
It’s a little disquieting you would let
Your ideals blind you to reality hamilton

Sir

Draft a statement of neutrality

Did you forget Lafayette?

What?

Have you an ounce of regret?
You accumulate debt, you accumulate power
Yet in their hour of need, you forget

Lafayette’s a smart man, he’ll be fine
And before he was your friend, he was mine
If we try to fight in
Every revolution in the world, we never stop
Where do we draw the line?

So quick-witted

Alas, I admit it

I bet you were quite a lawyer

My defendants got acquitted

Yeah well, someone oughta remind you

What?

You’re nothing without Washington behind you

Hamilton!

Daddy’s calling!