Hamilton is a musical written by Lin-Manuel Miranda that debuted off-Broadw… Read Full Bio ↴Hamilton is a musical written by Lin-Manuel Miranda that debuted off-Broadway in February 2015, and on Broadway in August. The cast recording of its Broadway production released in September that year; on streaming services, the songs sung by the entire cast are attributed to " Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton".

The Schuyler Sisters
Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton 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

"The Schuyler Sisters" is a lively and empowering song from the musical Hamilton, sung by the characters Angelica, Eliza, and Peggy Schuyler, the daughters of Philip Schuyler. The song is set in New York City during the American Revolution. The lyrics capture the sisters' desire to break free from societal expectations and experience the excitement and opportunities of the city.

The song opens with a critique of the rich who enjoy "slumming it" downtown with the poor. However, the sisters themselves sneak into the city disguised as commoners, fascinated by the conversations and energy of the people they encounter. Their father is wealthy and influential, but he remains oblivious to their adventures.

As the song progresses, the sisters discuss their frustrations with the tensions and violence brought on by the impending war and their desire for change. Angelica, portrayed as the intellectual and ambitious sister, highlights her pursuit of ideas and a revolution of ideals. She references Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" as her inspiration, indicating her radical thinking. She longs for a revelation and plans to challenge Thomas Jefferson to include women's rights in the revolution they seek.

The chorus repeatedly emphasizes the importance of looking around and recognizing the historical significance of the events unfolding in New York City. It encapsulates the sisters' enthusiasm and appreciation for being alive during this era and in the greatest city in the world.

The Schuyler Sisters" is a pivotal song in the musical as it introduces the audience to Angelica, Eliza, and Peggy, who become important characters throughout the story. It also sets the tone for the themes of empowerment and revolution that run throughout the show.

Line by Line Meaning

There's nothing rich folks love more
Wealthy individuals are particularly fond of

Than going downtown and slummin' it with the poor
Engaging in the act of visiting impoverished areas for amusement

They pull up in their carriages and gawk at the students in the common
Arriving in their luxurious carriages to stare in amazement 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 great wealth

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

Sneak into the city just to watch all the guys at
Secretly venture into the city with the purpose of observing young men

(Work, work) Angelica
(Engage, engage) Angelica

(Work, work) Eliza
(Engage, engage) Eliza

And Peggy (work, work)
And Peggy (engage, engage)

The Schuyler sisters
All three Schuyler sisters

Angelica, Peggy, Eliza (work!)
Angelica, Peggy, Eliza (engage!)

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

Daddy doesn't need to know
Father does not require knowledge of our actions

Daddy said not to go downtown
Father expressly forbade us from visiting the city

Like I said, you're free to go
As I mentioned, you possess the freedom to proceed

But look around, look around, the revolution's happening in New York (New York)
However, take a moment to observe, the revolution is taking place in New York (New York)

(Angelica, work!)
(Angelica, engage!)

It's bad enough daddy wants to go to war
Father's desire to engage in warfare is already distressing

People shouting in the square
Individuals are vociferously expressing their opinions in the public square

It's bad enough there'll be violence on our shore
The presence of violence occurring close to our region is already disheartening

New ideas in the air
Novel concepts permeate the surrounding environment

Look around, look around
Observe your surroundings, examine

Angelica, remind me what we're looking for
Angelica, please jog my memory about the object of our quest

(She's lookin' for me)
(She's searching for my presence)

Eliza, I'm lookin' for a mind at work (work, work)
Eliza, I am in search of an intellect that is actively engaged (work, work)

I'm lookin' for a mind at work (work, work)
I am seeking a thought process that is productive and stimulated (work, work)

I'm lookin' for a mind at work (work, work)
I am seeking an intellectual capacity that is focused and industrious (work, work)

Whoa, whoa
Expressing surprise, emphasis

Whoa, whoa, work!
Whoa, whoa, engage!

Woo! There's nothin' like summer in the city
Hooray! There is nothing comparable to the summertime atmosphere within the city

Someone in a rush next to someone lookin' pretty
An individual in a hurry stands beside an attractively adorned person

Excuse me, miss, I know it's not funny
Pardon me, madam, I am aware it is not humorous

But your perfume smells like your daddy's got money
Yet, the aroma of your fragrance suggests that your father possesses substantial wealth

Why you slummin' in the city in your fancy heels?
May I inquire as to why you, with your elegant footwear, are spending time in the less affluent areas of the city?

You searchin' for an urchin who can give you ideals?
Are you seeking a vagrant who can provide you with novel concepts?

Burr, you disgust me
Burr, your actions and demeanor utterly repulses me

Ah, so you've discussed me
Ah, I perceive that you have conversed about my person

I'm a trust fund, baby, you can trust me
I am a beneficiary of a substantial inheritance, and thus, you can rely on me

I've been reading "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine
As of late, I have been engaging with Thomas Paine's publication titled "Common Sense"

So men say that I'm intense or I'm insane
According to some individuals, I am perceived to possess an intense or even deranged disposition

You want a revolution? I want a revelation
While you desire a complete transformation of society, I aspire to a significant realization or insight

So listen to my declaration
Therefore, lend an ear to my formal statement

"We hold these truths to be self-evident
"We firmly believe that these concepts are unquestionably apparent

That all men are created equal"
Namely, that all individuals are born with equal rights and worth"

And when I meet Thomas Jefferson (uh)
Furthermore, upon encountering Thomas Jefferson (uh)

I'ma compel him to include women in the sequel, work!
I shall strongly persuade him to incorporate women in the follow-up, engage!

Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now
Observe and truly grasp our fortune in being alive during this period

History is happening in Manhattan and we just happen to be in the greatest city in the world
Significant historical events are transpiring within Manhattan, and by chance, we find ourselves residing in the most exceptional city globally

In the greatest city in the world
In the superlative city across the globe

(Work, work) Angelica
(Engage, engage) Angelica

(Work, work) Eliza
(Engage, engage) Eliza

And Peggy (work, work)
And Peggy (engage, engage)

The Schuyler sisters (work, work)
The Schuyler sisters (engage, engage)

We're looking for a mind at work (work, work)
We are actively seeking an intellectual capacity that is engaged (work, work)

Hey (work, work)
Hey (engage, engage)

Hey (whoa) (work, work)
Hey (expressing surprise) (engage, engage)

Hey (work, work)
Hey (engage, engage)

In the greatest city
Within the preeminent city

In the greatest city in the world
In the superlative city across the globe

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