Stay Alive
Hamilton Original Broadway Cast Lyrics
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Stay alive
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
They only take British money, so sing a song of sixpence
The cavalry's not coming
But, sir
Alex, listen
There's only one way for us to win this
Provoke outrage, outright
That's right
Don't engage, strike by night
Remain relentless 'til their troops take flight
Make it impossible to justify the cost of the fight
Outrun
Outrun
Outlast
Outlast
Hit 'em quick, get out fast
Chick-a-plao
Stay alive 'til this horror show is past
We're gonna fly a lot of flags half-mast
Raise a glass
I go back to New York and my apprenticeship
I ask for French aid, I pray that France has sent a ship
I stay at work with Hamilton
We write essays against slavery
And every day's a test of our camaraderie
And bravery
We cut supply lines, we steal contraband
We pick and choose our battles and places to take a stand
And ev'ry day
Sir, entrust me with a command
And ev'ry day
No
He dismisses me out of hand
Instead of me (stay alive)
He promotes
Charles Lee
Makes him second-in-command
I'm a General
Whee
Yeah
He's not the choice I would have gone with
He shits the bed at the Battle of Monmouth
Ev'ryone attack
Retreat
Attack
Retreat
What are you doing, Lee?
Get back on your feet
But there's so many of them
I'm sorry, is this not your speed?
Hamilton
Ready, sir
Have Lafayette take the lead
Yes, sir
A thousand soldiers die in a hundred degree heat
As we snatch a stalemate from the jaws of defeat
Charles Lee was left behind
Without a pot to piss in
He started sayin' this to anybody who would listen
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
Ooh
Don't do a thing
History will prove him wrong
But, sir
We have a war to fight, let's move along
Strong words from Lee, someone oughta hold him to it
I can't disobey direct orders
Then I'll do it
Alexander, you're the closest friend I've got
Laurens, do not throw away your shot
The song Stay Alive from the Hamilton Original Broadway Cast is set during the American Revolution and explores the desperate situation faced by the Continental Army. The first verse has Alexander Hamilton writing correspondence for General Washington and reporting on the dire state of the army. They are being denied supplies and are even resorting to eating their own horses in order to survive. The cavalry is not coming to help them either, so Hamilton proposes a desperate plan to win the war. They need to provoke outrage in the British and strike by night, making it impossible for them to justify the cost of the fight. The soldiers need to stay alive until the fighting is over, with the only hope for victory being French aid.
The second verse shows the daily struggles of the soldiers and their battle to cut supply lines and steal contraband. However, Hamilton is not promoted to command, and instead, General Washington promotes Charles Lee to second-in-command, much to Hamilton's frustration. Lee proves to be a disastrous leader and repeatedly fails his commands, leading to the deaths of many soldiers. Lee even suggests that the Continental Army would be better off if George Washington simply went back to his plantation to plant tobacco, which infuriates Hamilton. The song ends with Hamilton and Laurens discussing the importance of holding Lee to account for his actions while Laurens is urged not to "throw away his shot", foreshadowing the events of the later song.
Line by Line Meaning
Stay alive
We need to keep surviving
Stay alive
We need to keep surviving
I have never seen the General so despondent
George Washington has never seemed this down before
I have taken over writing all his correspondence
I'm writing all of Washington's letters for him now
Congress writes, "George, attack the British forces"
Congress is telling Washington to attack the British
I shoot back, we have resorted to eating our horses
I respond by saying we're eating our horses instead
Local merchants deny us equipment, assistance
Local merchants won't help us
They only take British money, so sing a song of sixpence
They only want British money, so we'll have to look elsewhere for help
The cavalry's not coming
We're not getting help from the cavalry
But, sir
Excuse me
Alex, listen
Alexander, pay attention
There's only one way for us to win this
We can only win if we take drastic measures
Provoke outrage, outright
We need to make people outraged
That's right
Exactly
Don't engage, strike by night
We need to avoid direct confrontation and strike when they least expect it
Remain relentless 'til their troops take flight
We need to keep attacking until they give up and leave
Make it impossible to justify the cost of the fight
We should make the war seem too costly for the British to continue
Outrun
Be faster than them
Outrun
Be faster than them
Outlast
Last longer
Outlast
Last longer
Hit 'em quick, get out fast
Attack quickly and leave before they can react
Chick-a-plao
Unknown
Stay alive 'til this horror show is past
We need to survive until the war is over
We're gonna fly a lot of flags half-mast
We're going to have a lot of casualties
Raise a glass
Cheers to surviving
I go back to New York and my apprenticeship
I go back to my job in New York
I ask for French aid, I pray that France has sent a ship
I'm asking France for help
I stay at work with Hamilton
I work with Alexander Hamilton
We write essays against slavery
We write articles opposing slavery
And every day's a test of our camaraderie
We're constantly testing our friendship
And bravery
And courage
We cut supply lines, we steal contraband
We disrupt the enemy's supply lines and steal their goods
We pick and choose our battles and places to take a stand
We choose when and where to fight
And ev'ry day
And every day
Sir, entrust me with a command
Please give me a leadership role
And ev'ry day
And every day
No
No
He dismisses me out of hand
He ignores me
Instead of me (stay alive)
Instead of me leading, we need to stay alive
He promotes
He gives a promotion
Charles Lee
To Charles Lee
Makes him second-in-command
Makes him the second in command
I'm a General
I'm a general
Whee
Unknown
Yeah
Yeah
He's not the choice I would have gone with
I wouldn't have picked him
He shits the bed at the Battle of Monmouth
He fails at the Battle of Monmouth
Ev'ryone attack
Everyone attack
Retreat
Retreat
Attack
Attack
Retreat
Retreat
What are you doing, Lee?
What are you doing, Charles Lee?
Get back on your feet
Get up and fight
But there's so many of them
But there are too many enemies
I'm sorry, is this not your speed?
Can't you keep up?
Hamilton
Unknown
Ready, sir
I'm ready
Have Lafayette take the lead
Have Lafayette take charge
Yes, sir
Yes, sir
A thousand soldiers die in a hundred degree heat
A lot of soldiers die in the heat
As we snatch a stalemate from the jaws of defeat
We barely manage to avoid losing
Charles Lee was left behind
Charles Lee got left behind
Without a pot to piss in
He has nothing
He started sayin' this to anybody who would listen
He's telling everyone this
Washington cannot be left alone to his devices
Washington needs help
Indecisive, from crisis to crisis
He's indecisive and can't handle crises
The best thing he can do for the revolution
The best thing he can do for the war effort
Is turn n' go back to plantin' tobacco in Mount Vernon
Is go back to farming in Mount Vernon
Oo
Unknown
Don't do a thing
Do nothing
History will prove him wrong
Time will show he was wrong
But, sir
Excuse me
We have a war to fight, let's move along
We need to keep fighting
Strong words from Lee, someone oughta hold him to it
Someone needs to keep him accountable for his words
I can't disobey direct orders
I can't ignore orders from my superiors
Then I'll do it
Then I'll take care of it
Alexander, you're the closest friend I've got
Alexander, you're my closest friend
Laurens, do not throw away your shot
Don't miss your chance
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mos8048
The "british" were doing a volley,none of them were chilling,they split into 4 so the volleys would inflict damage.
Example:
Line 1: shoots then retreats to reload
Line 2: moves forward to shoot then retreats to reload
Line 1: same thing
Line 2: same thing
@giovannamello6226
[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 Laurens Lafayette]
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 ev'ry day
Sir, entrust me with a command
And ev'ry day
[Washington]
No
[Hamilton]
He dismisses me out of hand
[Eliza Angelica]
Stay alive
[Hamilton]
Instead of me
He promotes Charles Lee
Makes him second-in-command
[Lee]
I'm a General. Whee!
[Hamilton]
Yeah. He's not the choice I would have gone with
[Hamilton Laurens Lafayette]
He shits the bed at the Battle of Monmouth
[Washington]
Ev'ryone 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 sayin' 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]
Oo!
[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 oughta 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
@ymer9576
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

Bella Poarch “Living Hell' Official Lyrics & Meaning | Verified
[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/LAURENS/LAFAYETTE]
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 ev’ry day
“Sir, entrust me with a command,”
And ev’ry day
[WASHINGTON]
No
[HAMILTON]
He dismisses me out of hand
[HAMILTON, LEE, ELIZA/ANGELICA]
Stay alive...
Instead of me, he promotes Charles Lee (Charles Lee)
Makes him second-in-command:
[LEE]
I’m a General. Whee!!!!
[HAMILTON]
Yeah. He’s not the choice I would have gone with
[HAMILTON/LAURENS/LAFAYETTE]
He shits the bed at the Battle of Monmouth
[WASHINGTON]
Ev’ryone 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 sayin’ 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]
Oo!!
[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 oughta 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
@HxneyBuns
Why does nobody talk about the choreography in this song? It’s amazing!
@vanish2884
Because everyone is too distracted by “I’m a general, WEEEEEEE”
@sadiesstuff4270
@Vanish WEeEeEeE
@Talon.77
Choreography entire performance. Look at helpless the satisfied. Basically helpless choreography is difficult, then, reverses for satisfied
@tingletipson
@vanish2884 I'm A gEnErAl, ĤẂƏĘƏĘƏĘƏĘƏĘƏ
@Vst_13
Yeah, it's amazing!
@nickieBurke
That's how history remembers him. Mr I'M A GENERAL, WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
@glitchherobrine3773
Haha
@nickieBurke
@Morgan Jepps I choose the former rather then the ladder >:)
@Soph-TV
My fad texted me at 12:30 AM today to ask who Charles Lee was. I replied with, “A GENERAL, WHEEEEE,” and proceeded to send him this video and the studio recording from Spotify. Then, I sent him gifs of every character in the song. I need help.