The Story of Tonight
Anthony Ramos Okieriete Onaodowan Daveed Diggs & Lin-Manuel Miranda & Leslie Odom Jr. Lyrics


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I may not live to see our glory!
I may not live to see our glory!
But I've seen wonders great and small
I've seen wonders great and small
‘Cause if the tomcat can get married
If Alexander can get married—
There's hope for our ass, after all!
Raise a glass to freedom
Hey!
Something you will never see again!
No matter what she tells you
Let's have another round tonight!
Raise a glass to the four of us!
Ho!
To the newly not poor of us!
Woo!
We'll tell the story of tonight
Let's have another round—
Well, if it isn't Aaron Burr
Sir!
I didn't think that you would make it
To be sure
Burr!
I came to say congratulations
Spit a verse, Burr!
I see the whole gang is here
You are the worst, Burr!
Ignore them. Congrats to you, Lieutenant Colonel
I wish I had your command instead of manning George's journal
No, you don't
Yes, I do
Now, be sensible
From what I hear, you've made yourself indispensable
Well, well, I heard
You've got a special someone on the side, Burr
Is that so?
What are you tryin' to hide, Burr?
I should go
No, these guys should go
(What?)
(No!) Leave us alone
(Man...)
It's alright, Burr. I wish you'd brought this girl with you tonight, Burr
You're very kind, but I'm afraid it's unlawful, sir
What do you mean?
She's married
I see
She's married to a British officer
Oh shit…
Congrats again, Alexander. Smile more
I'll see you on the other side of the war
I will never understand you
If you love this woman, go get her! What are you waiting for?




I'll see you on the other side of the war
I'll see you on the other side of the war

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "The Story of Tonight" reflect the optimism and hopefulness of four friends, Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, John Laurens, and the Marquis de Lafayette, who find themselves united in the cause of revolution. The repetition of "I may not live to see our glory" highlights the fact that they are aware of the high stakes involved in their struggle and that they may not live to see the birth of a new nation. However, they affirm their commitment to the cause by celebrating the small triumphs of their struggle, like the marriage of a tomcat or Alexander's own marriage.


Line by Line Meaning

I may not live to see our glory!
I may not live to witness the triumphs of our future.


But I've seen wonders great and small
Yet, I have already witnessed many remarkable acts, both grand and modest.


If the tomcat can get married
If even felines can tie the knot,


If Alexander can get married—
If even Alexander Hamilton, with all his flaws and complications, can wed,


There's hope for our ass, after all!
Then there must be hope for us all!


Raise a glass to freedom!
Let us celebrate our liberty!


Hey!
Attention!


Something you will never see again!
A moment that is rare and fleeting, never to be replicated!


No matter what she tells you
Despite any lies she may feed you,


Let's have another round tonight!
Let us drink once more this evening!


Raise a glass to the four of us!
Let us toast to the four of our companionship!


Ho!
Cheer!


To the newly not poor of us!
To those of us who have recently escaped poverty!


Woo!
Expressing excitement or approval!


We'll tell the story of tonight!
We shall recount the tale of tonight!


Well, if it isn't Aaron Burr
Well, well, well, look who is here: Aaron Burr!


Sir!
A respectful form of address!


I didn't think that you would make it
I must admit, I didn't expect to see you here!


To be sure
Indeed!


Burr!
A playful, teasing tone aimed at Burr!


I came to say congratulations
I came to extend my congratulations to you!


Spit a verse, Burr!
Please, Aaron Burr, perform a rap or poem for us!


I see the whole gang is here
Ah, it appears that everyone is present!


You are the worst, Burr!
Used in a teasing, somewhat affectionate tone as the others rib Burr!


Ignore them. Congrats to you, Lieutenant Colonel
Do not pay attention to their jokes. Congratulations to you, Lieutenant Colonel!


I wish I had your command instead of manning George's journal
I must confess, I would rather have your position and authority than my current menial labor for General George Washington.


No, you don't
Oh, but you would not truly wish for that!


Yes, I do
I assure you, I very much desire that!


Now, be sensible
Come now, let us be practical!


From what I hear, you've made yourself indispensable
I have heard that you have become quite valuable and necessary.


Well, well, I heard
Interesting, I have heard something myself!


You've got a special someone on the side, Burr
I have heard that you have a romantic interest aside from your primary partnership, Burr!


Is that so?
Oh, really? Tell me more!


What are you tryin' to hide, Burr?
What secrets are you keeping, Burr? Why are you being so coy?


I should go
I think I should depart now.


No, these guys should go
No, actually, they should leave.


(What?)
An expression of confusion or disbelief from one of the others.


(No!) Leave us alone
No, seriously, please go away and leave us be!


(Man...)
An expression of annoyance or resignation from one of the others.


It's alright, Burr. I wish you'd brought this girl with you tonight, Burr
It's quite alright, Burr. However, I do wish you had invited the lady in question to join us this evening.


You're very kind, but I'm afraid it's unlawful, sir
I appreciate your generosity, but unfortunately, it is illegal for her to be here with me.


What do you mean?
Please clarify what you are implying or referring to.


She's married
The reason why my romantic interest cannot join us is because she is already married to another man.


I see
Ah, I understand now.


She's married to a British officer
The gentleman whom she is wedded to is a member of the British military.


Oh shit…
An exclamation of surprise, shock, or dismay from one of the others.


Congrats again, Alexander. Smile more
Congratulations once again, Alexander. You should try to be more happy and express joy more often.


I'll see you on the other side of the war
I look forward to meeting with you once the war has ended, and we have succeeded in our endeavours.


I will never understand you
I must confess, I will never fully comprehend you or your motivations.


If you love this woman, go get her! What are you waiting for?
If you truly have affection for this lady, why do you not pursue her? What is holding you back?


I'll see you on the other side of the war
Once more, I look forward to encountering you when the armed conflict has ceased.




Contributed by Isaiah C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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