Valley Forge
Lin-Manuel Miranda Lyrics

Valley Forge, winter 1778
This is the setting of the song where winter has come and the American troops are struggling to survive at Valley Forge.

These are the times that try men's souls
The difficult winter at Valley Forge is testing the morale of the American troops.

The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will In this crisis, shrink from the service of their country
Those who are not fully committed to the American cause will falter in the face of this difficulty.

But he that stands by it now Deserves the love and thanks of man and woman
Those who remain committed to the revolution during this hardship will earn the respect and gratitude of others.

Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered Yet we have this consolation with us That the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph
The fight against tyranny is difficult, but it will be all the more rewarding if won through perseverance.

I am seeing the best minds of my generation Waste away in pestilence and starvation Is this all a test or have we met our doom? Have we set a camp of parameters for our tomb?
The difficult conditions have led to the decline of the most talented American soldiers and it is unclear whether they will survive.

I have never seen His Excellency so despondent So I've taken over writing all his correspondence I have written Congress and received dishonest responses I am beyond comprehension of their nonsense
Even George Washington, the leader of the American revolution, is struggling with the difficulty of the situation and is receiving little help from Congress.

They say, saddle up! 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
The American soldiers are so desperate for food and supplies that they have resorted to eating their own horses, and the local merchants are refusing to help them unless they are paid in British currency.

Sixty tents full of dysentery, death Dying breaths and dilettantes and deserters in the distance Congress, I beg of you, justify your existence Are you men or just a bunch of indigenous infants?
The conditions at Valley Forge are so bad that many soldiers are sick and dying, and even some who are not true patriots have abandoned the cause. The soldiers feel abandoned by Congress.

Unite these states, give them stakes in our resistance Do you have no influence at all, you fucking skinflints?
The American soldiers are frustrated with Congress for not providing more support and unifying the colonies in their fight against the British.

But sir! Alex, listen, there's only one way for us to win this Provoke outrage, outright Don't engage, strike by night Remain relentless 'til their troops take flight Make it impossible to justify the cost of the fight
Hamilton suggests that the only way to win the war is by using guerrilla tactics and inflicting damage on the British without engaging them in a traditional battle.

Outrun (outrun) Outlast (outlast) Hit 'em quick, get out fast (uh-huh) Stay alive 'til this horror show is past We're gonna fly a lot of flags half-mast (Yeah)
Hamilton reiterates the strategy of remaining on the move and inflicting damage without risking the lives of American soldiers. They hope to survive the war and raise flags in memory of those who did not.