The Room Where It Happens

Ah, Mister Secretary Mister Burr, sir Did'ya hear the news about Good old General Mercer? No You know Clermont Street? Yeah They renamed it after him The Mercer legacy is secure Sure And all he had to do was die That's a lot less work We oughta give it a try Ha Now, how're you gonna get your debt plan through? I guess I'm gonna fin'ly have to listen to you Really? Talk less Smile more Ha 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've gotta go But- Decisions are happening over dinner Two Virginians and an immigrant walk into a room Diametric'ly opposed, foes They emerge with a compromise Having opened 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 'n disarray (Thomas claims-) Alexander said "I've nowhere else to turn!" And basic'ly begged me to join the fray (Thomas claims-) I approached Madison and said "I know you hate 'im, 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 Ev'ry game of chess We just Assume that it happens But no one else is in The room where it happens (Meanwhile-) Madison is grappling with the fact that Not ev'ry issue can be settled by committee (Meanwhile-) Congress is fighting over where to put the capital- It isn't pretty Then Jefferson emerges with a dinner and invite And Madison responds with Virginian insight Maybe we can solve one problem with another And win a victory for the southerners In other words- Oh-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'll never really know what got discussed Click-boom then it happened And no one else was in The room where it happens (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 You get nothing if you just Wait for it Wait for it 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 (What do you want, Burr?) Burr, what do you fall for? (What do you want?) 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) Wanna be in (The room where it happens, the room where it happens) The room (I wanna be in the room) I wanna be (Where it happens, the room where it happens) In that big old room! (I wanna be in the room where it happens) (The room where it happens) (The room where it happens) Oh (I wanna be in the room where it happens) Oh (The room where it happens) That big ol' room (The room where it happens) 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 where it happens (The room where it happens) I've gotta be (The room where it happens) Oh, gotta be (The room where it happens) I've gotta be (The room where it happens) Oh, gotta be, gotta be (The room where it happens) In the room! (I wanna be in the room where it happens) Click-boom!