Best of Wives and Best of Women
Phillipa Soo Lyrics


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ELIZA
Alexander, come back to sleep.
HAMILTON
I have an early meeting out of town.
ELIZA
It's still dark outside.
HAMILTON
I know. I just need to write something down.
ELIZA
Why do you write like you're running out of time?
HAMILTON
Shh.
ELIZA
Come back to bed. That would be enough.
HAMILTON
I'll be back before you know I'm gone.
ELIZA
Come back to sleep.
HAMILTON
This meeting's at dawn.
ELIZA
Well, I'm going back to sleep.




HAMILTON
Hey. Best of wives and best of women.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Phillipa Soo's "Best of Wives and Best of Women" depict a moment where Eliza is trying to convince her husband, Alexander Hamilton, to come back to bed instead of leaving for his early-morning meeting out of town. Alexander, however, insists on getting up and writing something down before he leaves. Eliza inquiries about why he always seems to be in a hurry and writes as if he is running out of time. Despite Eliza's efforts to persuade him to stay, Alexander tells her that he will be back before she knows he is gone, leaving Eliza to go back to sleep. However, before he leaves, Alexander acknowledges Eliza as his best of wives and best of women.


The song's lyrics express Eliza's love and concern for her husband's well-being. At the same time, it depicts Alexander's constant need to hurry and express himself through writing. The line, "Why do you write like you're running out of time?" is a nod to Alexander's constant workaholic tendencies, which eventually lead to his downfall. Eliza's reply to Hamilton, "Come back to bed. That would be enough" is a sentiment shared by audience members, who wish for Hamilton to slow down and appreciate his accomplishments and blessings.


Line by Line Meaning

Alexander, come back to sleep.
Eliza is asking Alexander to come back to bed and sleep.


I have an early meeting out of town.
Alexander tells Eliza that he has a meeting early in the morning that is out of town.


It's still dark outside.
Eliza reminds Alexander that it's still dark outside and he should go back to sleep.


I know. I just need to write something down.
Alexander confirms that he knows it's still dark outside but he needs to note something down.


Why do you write like you're running out of time?
Eliza questions Alexander why he is writing as if he is in a rush or has less time.


Shh.
Alexander asks Eliza to be quiet so that he can write.


Come back to bed. That would be enough.
Eliza suggests that if Alexander returns to bed, it would be satisfying.


I'll be back before you know I'm gone.
Alexander promises Eliza that he will return before she realizes he's gone.


Well, I'm going back to sleep.
Eliza decides to go back to sleep meanwhile.


Hey. Best of wives and best of women.
Alexander tells Eliza that she is the best wife and the finest woman he has ever known.




Contributed by Lincoln P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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