Helpless
Hamilton Broadway Cast Lyrics

Hey hey hey hey (ohh, I do I do I do I)
Excitement and willingness to give in to love

Boy you got me
Addressing the object of love and the effect on the singer

Helpless
The singer's acknowledgement of being powerless in the face of love

Look into your eyes, and the sky's the limit I'm helpless
Being smitten and the hopelessness it brings

Down for the count, and I'm drownin' in 'em
Complete surrender to the object of love to the point of being overwhelmed

I have never been the type to try and grab the spotlight
Introduction to the singer's character

We were at a revel with some rebels on a hot night
Setting the scene

Laughin' at my sister as she's dazzling the room
An anecdote highlighting the artist's close relationship with her sister

Then you walked in and my heart went boom
Impact of the object of love's arrival in the artist's life

Tryin' to catch your eye from the side of the ballroom
Desperation to get the object of love's attention

Everybody's dancin' and the band's top volume
Description of the revelry happening around the singer

Grind to the rhythm as we wine and dine
Joining in the celebration, possibly with the object of love

Grab my sister, and Whisper, yo, this one's mine
Protagonist claiming the object of love as her own in a lighthearted way

My sister made her way across the room to you (ooh)
Sibling trying to help the singer get with the object of love

And I got nervous, thinking what's she gonna do? (ooh)
Protagonist's uncertainty and insecurities

She grabbed you by the arm, I'm thinkin' I'm through (ooh)
Moment of panic in the face of possible rejection

Then you look back at me and suddenly I'm (ooh)
Object of love's attention brings back hope for the artist

Helpless
Protagonist's realization of being powerless in the face of love

Where are you taking me?
Question from object of love

I'm about to change your life
Protagonist's confidence in bringing a positive impact to the object of love's life

Elizabeth Schuyler
Protagonist's name

It's a pleasure to meet you
Polite greeting

Schuyler?
Object of love seeking clarification on protagonist's last name

My sister
Introduction of the artist's sister

Thank you for all your service
Acknowledgement of the object of love's contributions

If it takes fighting a war for us to meet, it will have been worth it
Object of love's commitment to the relationship

I'll leave you to it
Object of love taking the initiative to give the singer space

I'm writin' a letter nightly
Protagonist's effort to keep in touch with the object of love

Now my life gets better, every letter that you write me
Protagonist's happiness at receiving correspondence from the object of love

Laughin' at my sister, 'cause she wants to form a harem
Light-hearted moment comparing the singer's relationship to the stereotype of polygamy

I'm just sayin', if you really loved me, you would share him
Protagonist trying to make light of the situation with a humorous request

Two weeks later
Time has passed

In the living room stressin'
Protagonist in a tense situation

My father's stone-faced
Protagonist's father unresponsive

While you're asking for his blessin'
Object of love seeking the singer's father's approval for their relationship

I'm dying inside, as
Protagonist feeling conflicted

You wine
Object of love trying to win over the singer's father

And dine
Object of love taking steps towards being accepted by the singer's family

And I'm tryin' not to cry
Protagonist trying to keep her emotions in check

'Cause there's nothing that your mind can't do
Protagonist's admiration for the object of love

My father makes his way across the room to you (ooh)
Tension building as the artist's father approaches the object of love

I panic for a second, thinking
Protagonist's fear about being rejected by her father

We're through (ooh)
Moment of panic as the singer fears rejection

But then he shakes your hand and says
Relief as the father approves of the object of love

Be true (ooh)
Father's advice to the object of love to remain faithful and trustworthy

And you turn back to me, smiling, and I'm
Object of love's attention and affection bring back the artist's hope

Eliza, I don't have a dollar to my name
Object of love honestly expressing his financial situation

An acre of land, a troop to command, a dollop of fame
Object of love listing accomplishments that he currently does not possess

All I have's my honor, a tolerance for pain
Object of love expressing his character as substitute for material wealth

A couple of college credits and my top-notch brain
Object of love's academic achievements as substitute for material wealth

Insane, your family brings out a different side of me
Object of love's admiration for the singer's family

Peggy confides in me, Angelica tried to take a bite of me
Object of love sharing humorous moments with the artist

No stress, my love for you is never in doubt
Object of love's reassurance of his love for the artist

We'll get a little place in Harlem and we'll figure it out
Object of love's plan for the future

I've been livin' without a family since I was a child
Object of love's difficult upbringing

My father left, my mother died, I grew up buckwild
Object of love's past traumas and struggles

But I'll never forget my mother's face, that was real
Object of love's emotional attachment to his mother

And long as I'm alive, Eliza, swear to God
Object of love's vow to be faithful to the artist

You'll never feel so
Object of love wanting to make the singer feel good

Eliza
Protagonist's name

My life is gon' be fine 'cause Eliza's in it
Object of love expressing his happiness with the singer's presence in his life

In New York, you can be a new man
Song's catchphrase, referring to the singer's transformative relationship