Sisters
Blind Mr. Jones Lyrics


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There's nothing rich folks love more
Than going downtown and slummin' it with the poor
They pull up in their carriages and gawk at the students in the common
Just to watch them talk
Take Philip Schuyler, the man is loaded
Uh-oh, but little does he know that his daughters, Peggy, Angelica, Eliza
Sneak into the city just to watch all the guys at
(Work, work) Angelica
(Work, work) Eliza
And Peggy (work, work)
The Schuyler sisters
Angelica, Peggy, Eliza (work!)

Daddy said to be home by sundown
Daddy doesn't need to know
Daddy said not to go downtown
Like I said, you're free to go
But look around, look around, the revolution's happening in New York (New York)
(Angelica, work!)

It's bad enough daddy wants to go to war
People shouting in the square
It's bad enough there'll be violence on our shore
New ideas in the air
Look around, look around
Angelica, remind me what we're looking for
(She's lookin' for me)

Eliza, I'm lookin' for a mind at work (work, work)
I'm lookin' for a mind at work (work, work)
I'm lookin' for a mind at work (work, work)
Whoa, whoa
Whoa, whoa, work!

Woo! There's nothin' like summer in the city
Someone in a rush next to someone lookin' pretty
Excuse me, miss, I know it's not funny
But your perfume smells like your daddy's got money
Why you slummin' in the city in your fancy heels?
You searchin' for an urchin who can give you ideals?
Burr, you disgust me
Ah, so you've discussed me
I'm a trust fund, baby, you can trust me

I've been reading "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine
So men say that I'm intense or I'm insane
You want a revolution? I want a revelation
So listen to my declaration

"We hold these truths to be self-evident
That all men are created equal"
And when I meet Thomas Jefferson (uh)
I'ma compel him to include women in the sequel, work!

Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now
Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now
History is happening in Manhattan and we just happen to be in the greatest city in the world
In the greatest city in the world

'Cause I've been reading common sense by Thomas Paine (look around, look around)
(The revolution's happening) so men say that I'm intense or I'm insane (in New York)
You want a revolution, I want a revelation (look around, look around, New York)
So listen to my declaration (the revolution's happening)

We hold these truths to be self-evident (look around, look around)
That all men are created equal (at how lucky we are to be alive right now)
Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now
History is happening in Manhattan and we just happen to be in the greatest city in the world
In the greatest city in the world

(Work, work) Angelica
(Work, work) Eliza
And Peggy (work, work)
The Schuyler sisters (work, work)
We're looking for a mind at work (work, work)
Hey (work, work)
Hey (whoa) (work, work)
Hey (work, work)

In the greatest city




In the greatest city in the world
In the greatest city in the world

Overall Meaning

"Sisters" is a song from the musical Hamilton, performed by the fictional characters Angelica, Eliza, and Peggy Schuyler. The song focuses on their experiences and aims to convey the tension and conflict between societal expectations and personal desires during the time of the American Revolution.


The opening lines of the song establish a contrast between the wealthy upper class and the common people. It criticizes the fascination of the rich with the lower classes, as they "slum it" and gawk at the students in the common area. Despite their social status, the Schuyler sisters secretly venture into the city to observe the men working and talk to them.


The song continues with the sisters grappling with their father's strict rules. They yearn for independence and seek their own paths. The revolution, which is buzzing in New York, also adds complexity to their lives. The sisters question the increasing violence and yearn for change, symbolized by the line, "I'm looking for a mind at work." They want someone who is progressive and can inspire a revolution of ideas, which becomes a central theme of the song.


The latter part of the song introduces Aaron Burr and his interaction with Angelica. Burr, with his more conservative views, clashes with Angelica’s desire for revolution and equality. Angelica makes her bold declaration, inspired by Thomas Paine's "Common Sense," advocating for women's inclusion in the revolution and asserting their equal rights.


Overall, "Sisters" delves into the tensions and aspirations of the Schuyler sisters, highlighting their desire for personal freedom, intellectual stimulation, and involvement in shaping the course of history during a time of significant change.


Line by Line Meaning

There's nothing rich folks love more
The wealthy have a particular fondness for


Than going downtown and slummin' it with the poor
Engaging in the experience of poverty in the lower parts of the city


They pull up in their carriages and gawk at the students in the common
Arriving in their luxurious carriages to stare at the students in the public square


Just to watch them talk
Merely to observe their conversations


Take Philip Schuyler, the man is loaded
Consider Philip Schuyler; a man of considerable wealth


Uh-oh, but little does he know that his daughters, Peggy, Angelica, Eliza
However, he is unaware that his daughters, Peggy, Angelica, and Eliza


Sneak into the city just to watch all the guys at (Work, work) Angelica (Work, work) Eliza
Secretly venture into the city to observe the men Angelica and Eliza are interested in


And Peggy (work, work) The Schuyler sisters Angelica, Peggy, Eliza (work!)
And even Peggy, the Schuyler sisters - Angelica, Peggy, and Eliza - are engaged in their endeavors


Daddy said to be home by sundown
Father instructed to return before sunset


Daddy doesn't need to know
Father has no need to be aware


Daddy said not to go downtown
Father expressed prohibition from venturing into the lower part of the city


Like I said, you're free to go
However, as I mentioned, you have the freedom to proceed


But look around, look around, the revolution's happening in New York (New York) (Angelica, work!)
Yet, observe, the revolution is taking place in New York, Angelica


It's bad enough daddy wants to go to war
Father's desire for war is troubling enough


People shouting in the square
Crowds vociferously expressing their opinions in the public square


It's bad enough there'll be violence on our shore
The presence of violence on our shores is already distressing


New ideas in the air
Novel concepts permeating the atmosphere


Look around, look around
Observe, take a look


Angelica, remind me what we're looking for
Angelica, kindly refresh my memory about what we seek


(She's lookin' for me)
(She is searching for me)


Eliza, I'm lookin' for a mind at work (work, work)
Eliza, I am seeking a person with an active and thoughtful mind


I'm lookin' for a mind at work (work, work)
I seek an individual with an engaged and productive mindset


I'm lookin' for a mind at work (work, work)
I am in search of someone actively applying their intellect


Whoa, whoa
Expressing surprise or excitement


Whoa, whoa, work!
Wow, wow, continue your diligent efforts!


Woo! There's nothin' like summer in the city
Hooray! There is truly nothing comparable to summertime in the urban environment


Someone in a rush next to someone lookin' pretty
An individual in a hurry alongside someone who appears attractive


Excuse me, miss, I know it's not funny
Pardon me, madam, I understand it is not amusing


But your perfume smells like your daddy's got money
However, your fragrance suggests that your father possesses great wealth


Why you slummin' in the city in your fancy heels?
Why are you residing in the lower parts of the city while wearing elegant footwear?


You searchin' for an urchin who can give you ideals?
Are you seeking a street urchin who can provide you with different perspectives?


Burr, you disgust me
Burr, your actions and demeanor repulse me


Ah, so you've discussed me
Ah, I see that you have talked about me


I'm a trust fund, baby, you can trust me
I am an heir to a fortune, my dear, and you can rely on me


I've been reading 'Common Sense' by Thomas Paine
I have been perusing the book 'Common Sense' authored by Thomas Paine


So men say that I'm intense or I'm insane
Consequently, some individuals claim that I possess great passion or consider me irrational


You want a revolution? I want a revelation
You desire a revolution? I yearn for a profound and enlightening realization


So listen to my declaration
Hence, pay attention to my statement


"We hold these truths to be self-evident
"We firmly believe that these principles are indisputably obvious


That all men are created equal"
That every individual is inherently equal in worth


And when I meet Thomas Jefferson (uh)
Furthermore, when I encounter Thomas Jefferson


I'ma compel him to include women in the sequel, work!
I shall urge him to incorporate women in the continuation, enthusiastically!


Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now
Observe, take a look at how fortunate we are to exist in the present moment


Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now
Observe, take a look at how fortunate we are to exist in the present moment


History is happening in Manhattan and we just happen to be in the greatest city in the world
Significant events are unfolding in Manhattan, and coincidentally, we find ourselves in the most exceptional city on earth


In the greatest city in the world
Within the most remarkable city on earth


'Cause I've been reading 'Common Sense' by Thomas Paine (look around, look around)
Since I have been reading 'Common Sense' by Thomas Paine (observe, take a look)


(The revolution's happening) so men say that I'm intense or I'm insane (in New York)
(The revolution is occurring) hence, some people claim that I am fervent or irrational (in New York)


You want a revolution, I want a revelation (look around, look around, New York)
You desire a revolution, while I yearn for a remarkable realization (observe, take a look, New York)


So listen to my declaration (the revolution's happening)
Therefore, heed my declaration (the revolution is unfolding)


We hold these truths to be self-evident (look around, look around)
We firmly believe that these principles are indisputably obvious (observe, take a look)


That all men are created equal (at how lucky we are to be alive right now)
That every individual is inherently equal in worth (consider how fortunate we are to exist in the present moment)


Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now
Observe, take a look at how fortunate we are to exist in the present moment


History is happening in Manhattan and we just happen to be in the greatest city in the world
Significant events are unfolding in Manhattan, and coincidentally, we find ourselves in the most exceptional city on earth


In the greatest city in the world
Within the most remarkable city on earth


(Work, work) Angelica
(Continue to) labor, Angelica


(Work, work) Eliza
(Work, work) Eliza


And Peggy (work, work)
And Peggy (work diligently)


The Schuyler sisters (work, work)
The Schuyler sisters (engage in their endeavors)


We're looking for a mind at work (work, work)
We seek an active and thoughtful mind (work diligently)


Hey (work, work)
Hey (work diligently)


Hey (whoa) (work, work)
Hey (express exclamation) (work diligently)


Hey (work, work)
Hey (work diligently)


In the greatest city
Within the most remarkable city


In the greatest city in the world
Within the most exceptional city on earth


In the greatest city in the world
Within the most exceptional city on earth




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lin-Manuel Miranda

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Shoegazer 93

The start of an incredible Shoegaze album!

LikeItDeep

Couldn't agree more. They still sound as magical to me now as they did when I first listened to them in the early 90s.

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Nycolle Fernandes

this is so magic!

Jon White

I like it. I wrote it.

aj

Nice

aj

Lyrics ~
Doo da Doo da doodadooda

Tomas Ferreira

anyone know where these guys are now?

Keith Otis Edwards

I had never heard of this band before, so I looked the name up at Wikipedia, and they're described as "a British shoegazing band." I think that's unfair. To me they sound like the ur-psychedelic band Hawkwind. Thanx for posting.

Darticus the Great

Spooky Vibes and a few other songs of this album are very reminiscent of quintessential shoegazing bands like Ride though.

aj

Shoegazers consider it a classic shoegaze album 🥺

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