"Stay Alive" is the 14th song of Act One of Hamilton.
Hamilton distresses that their stakes in the coming war are getting higher. Washington highly doubts that he will be able to overcome this battle! He and Washington outline a plan in order to win the battle; Washington refuses Hamilton his coveted command and instead gives it to Charles Lee, who retreats at a vulnerable time and consequentially forces Washington to set Lafayette to take the lead in his place.
Washington forbids Hamilton from dueling Lee, claiming that "history will prove him wrong". So that he will not disobey direct orders from his commander, John Laurens offers to duel Lee on Hamilton's behalf.
Lyrics[]
[ELIZA]
Stay alive...
[ELIZA/ANGELICA/ENSEMBLE WOMEN]
Stay alive...
[HAMILTON]
I have never seen the General so despondent
I have taken over writing all his correspondence
Congress writes, "George, attack the British forces."
I shoot back, "We have resorted to eating our horses."
Local merchants deny us equipment, assistance
They only take British money, so sing a song of sixpence
[WASHINGTON]
The cavalry's not coming
[HAMILTON]
But sir—
[WASHINGTON]
Alex, listen.
There's only one way for us to win this
Provoke outrage, outright
[HAMILTON]
That's right
[WASHINGTON]
Don't engage, strike by night
Remain relentless 'til their troops take flight
[HAMILTON]
Make it impossible to justify the cost of the fight
[WASHINGTON]
Outrun
[HAMILTON]
Outrun
[WASHINGTON]
Outlast
[HAMILTON]
Outlast
[WASHINGTON]
Hit 'em quick, get out fast
[HAMILTON]
Chick-a-plao!
[WASHINGTON]
Stay alive 'til this horror show is past
We're gonna fly a lot of flags half-mast
[HAMILTON/LAFAYETTE/LAURENS]
Raise a glass
[MULLIGAN]
I go back to New York and my apprenticeship
[LAFAYETTE]
I ask for French aid, I pray that France has sent a ship
[LAURENS]
I stay at work with Hamilton
We write essays against slavery
And every day's a test of our camaraderie
And bravery
[HAMILTON]
We cut supply lines, we steal contraband
We pick and choose our battles and
Places to take a stand
And every day, "Sir, entrust me with a command."
And every day—
[WASHINGTON]
No
[HAMILTON]
He dismisses me out of hand
[HAMILTON] | [LEE] | [ELIZA & ANGELICA] |
[LEE]
I'm a general. Whee!
[HAMILTON]
Yeah...
He's not the choice I would've gone with
[HAMILTON/LAFAYETTE/LAURENS]
He shits the bed at the Battle of Monmouth
[WASHINGTON]
Everyone attack!
[LEE]
Retreat!
[WASHINGTON]
Attack!
[LEE]
Retreat!
[WASHINGTON]
What are you doing, Lee?
Get back on your feet
[LEE]
But there's so many of them!
[WASHINGTON]
I'm sorry, is this not your speed?
Hamilton
[HAMILTON]
Ready, sir!
[WASHINGTON]
Have Lafayette take the lead
[HAMILTON]
Yes, sir!
[LAURENS]
A thousand soldiers die in a hundred degree heat
[LAFAYETTE]
As we snatch a stalemate from the jaws of defeat
[HAMILTON]
Charles Lee was left behind without a pot to piss in
He started saying this to anybody who would listen:
[LEE]
Washington cannot be left alone to his devices
Indecisive, from crisis to crisis
The best thing he can do for the revolution is turn 'n'
Go back to plantin' tobacco in Mount Vernon
[COMPANY]
Oooh!
[WASHINGTON]
Don't do a thing. History will prove him wrong
[HAMILTON]
But sir!
[WASHINGTON]
We have a war to fight, let's move along
[LAURENS]
Strong words from Lee, someone ought to hold him to it
[HAMILTON]
I can't disobey direct orders
[LAURENS]
Then I'll do it
Alexander, you're the closest friend I've got
[HAMILTON]
Laurens, do not throw away your shot
Alternate versions[]
Soundboard Recording[]
- The version of the song on the Soundboard Recording only has two minor differences:
- Hamilton refers to Washingotn as "his Excellency" instead of "the General."
- Laurens and Hamilton's exchange at the end of the song plays like this:
[LAURENS]
Strong words from Lee, someone oughta hold him to it
[HAMILTON]
I can’t disobey direct orders
[LAURENS]
Shit, I’ll do it
[HAMILTON]
Laurens, be careful, you’re the closest friend I’ve got
[LAURENS]
Alex, I'm not throwing away my shot