"Cabinet Battle One (Off-Broadway)" is the 3rd song of Act 2 and the 27th song overall in the Off-Broadway production of Hamilton.
Lyrics[]
[WASHINGTON] (spoken) The issue on the table: Secretary Hamilton’s plan to assume state debt and establish a national bank. Thomas Jefferson, you have the floor. Sixty seconds, please
[JEFFERSON]
'Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness'
We fought for these ideals, we shouldn't settle for less
These are wise words, enterprising men quote 'em
Don't act surprised, guys, 'cause I wrote 'em
[JEFFERSON & MADISON]
Oww
[JEFFERSON]
But Hamilton forgets
His plan would have the government assume state's debts
Now, place your bets as to who that benefits—
The very seat of government where Hamilton sits
[HAMILTON]
Not true!
[JEFFERSON]
Ooh, if the shoe fits, wear it
If New York's in debt, why should Virginia bear it?
Uh! Our debts are paid, I'm afraid
Don't tax the South 'cause we got it made in the shade
In Virginia, we plant seeds in the ground
We create. You just wanna move our money around
This financial plan is an outrageous demand
And it's too many damn pages for any man to understand
Stand with me, in the land of the free
And pray to God we never see Hamilton's candidacy
Look, when Britain taxed our tea, we got frisky
Imagine what gon' happen when you try to tax our whisky
[CROWD]
(Reacting)
That's my alcohol!
[WASHINGTON] (spoken) Thank you, Secretary Jefferson Secretary Hamilton, your rebuttal Sixty seconds, please, and Keep it brief
[HAMILTON]
Thomas. That was a real nice declaration
Welcome to the country, we're running a real nation
Would you like to join us? Or stay mellow
Doin' whatever the hell it is you do in Monticello?
If we assume the debts, the union gets
A new line of credit, a financial diuretic
How do you not get it? If we're aggressive and competetive
The union gets a boost. You'd rather give it a sedative?
A civics lesson from a slaver. Hey neighbor
Your debts are paid because you don't pay for labor
"We plant seeds in the South. We create."
Yeah, keep ranting
We know who's really doing the planting
And another thing, Mr. Age of Enlightenment
Don't lecture me on the war, you didn't fight in it
You think I'm frightened of you, man?
We almost died in a trench
While you were off getting high with the French
Thomas Jefferson, always hesitant with the President
Reticent—there isn't a plan he doesn't jettison
Madison, you look bad...Take your medicine
Damn, you're in worse shape than the national debt is in
Sittin' there useless as two shits
Hey, turn around, bend over
I'll show you where my shoe fits
[WASHINGTON]
Madison, Jefferson, have a seat! We're gonna take a recess and come back. Hamilton?
[HAMILTON]
Sir!
[WASHINGTON]
Walk with me
[MADISON]
You don't have the votes
[JEFFERSON & MADISON]
You don't have the votes
[JEFFERSON]
Aha-ha-ha-ha!
[JEFFERSON & MADISON]
You're gonna need congressional approval and
you don't have the votes
[JEFFERSON]
Such a blunder sometimes it makes me wonder
Why I even bring the thunder
[MADISON]
Why he even brings the thunder...
[WASHINGTON]
You wanna pull yourself together?
[HAMILTON]
I'm sorry, these Virginians are birds of a feather
[WASHINGTON]
Young man, I'm from Virginia, so watch your mouth
[HAMILTON]
So we let Congress get held hostage by the South?
[WASHINGTON]
You need the votes
[HAMILTON]
No, we need bold strokes. We need this plan
[WASHINGTON]
No, you need to convince more folks
[HAMILTON]
James Madison won't talk to me, that's a nonstarter
[WASHINGTON]
Winning was easy, young man. Governing's harder
[HAMILTON]
They're being intransigent
[WASHINGTON]
You have to find a compromise
[HAMILTON]
But they don't have a plan, they just hate mine!
[WASHINGTON]
Convince them otherwise
[HAMILTON]
What happens if I don't get congressional approval?
[WASHINGTON]
I imagine they'll call for your removal
[HAMILTON]
Sir—
[WASHINGTON]
Figure it out, Alexander
That's an order from your commander
Trivia[]
Though song uses "One" in its title, it was changed to "#1" upon switching to the Broadway Production.
The biggest difference between this and the Broadway version is that Washington states how much time Jefferson and Hamilton have before they start.
