who lives who dies who tells your story off broadway
"My very dear Eliza, this letter will not be delivered to you unless I shall first have terminated my earthly career to begin a happy immortality.  I'd need not tell you of the pangs I feel from the idea of quitting you and exposing you to the anguish which I know you would feel.  Nor could I dwell on the topic lest it should unman me.  Fly to the bosom of your God and be comforted.  With my last idea; I shall cherish the sweet hope of meeting you in a better world.  Adieu best of wives and best of women.  Ever yours, Alexander."
Let me tell you what I wish I'd known
When I was young and dreamed of glory
You have no control:
Who lives
Who dies
Who tells your story?
President Jefferson:
With Hamilton gone, I dismantled the Federalist party
He did leave us with good credit though
I got Louisiana on sale
Who lives
Who dies
Who tells your story?
President Madison:
He was in a position to enrich himself a thousand ways, and he didn't
Does that make him foolish
Or honest?
Who lives
Who dies
Who tells your story?
Every other founding father story gets told
Every other founding father gets to grow old
And when you're gone, who remembers your name?
Who keeps your flame?
Who tells your story?
Who tells your story?
 
Who tells your story?
Your story?
 
Eliza
I put myself back in the narrative
Eliza
​
I stop wasting time on tears
I live another fifty years
It's not enough
Eliza
I interview every soldier who fought by your side
We tell your story
I try to make sense of your thousands of pages of writings
You really do write like you're running out of-
Time
I rely on-
Angelica
While she's alive
We tell your story
She is buried in Trinity Church
Near you
When I needed her most, she was right on-
Time
Every day is new
I ask myself, "What would you do if you had more-"
Time
The Lord, in his kindness
He gives me what you always wanted
He gives me more-
Time
I live to meet so many subsequent presidents
She tells your story
I speak out against slavery
You could've done so much more if you only had-
Time
And I ask myself, "Have I done enough?"
Will they tell your story?
Oh.  Can I show you what I'm proudest of?
The orphanage
I established the first private orphanage in New York City
The orphanage
I help to raise hundreds of children
I get to see them growing up
The orphanage
In their eyes I see you, Alexander
I see you every time
And when my time is up, have I done enough?
Will they tell my story?
 
Time
Will they tell your story?
 
Oh, I can't wait to see you again
It's only a matter of-
Time