"The World Was Wide Enough" is the penultimate song from Act 2 of a musical inspired by a 2004 biography by what historian?
The World Was Wide Enough "The World Was Wide Enough" is the penultimate song from Act 2 of the musical "Hamilton", based on the life of Alexander Hamilton, which premiered on Broadway in 2015. Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote both the music and lyrics to the song. The song recounts the events of the 1804 duel in Weehawken, New Jersey between then–Vice President Aaron Burr and former Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton.
Griot A griot ( ; ] ), jali or jeli ("djeli" or "djéli" in French spelling) is a West African historian, storyteller, praise singer, poet and/or musician. The griot is a repository of oral tradition and is often seen as a societal leader due to his or her traditional position as an advisor to royal personages. As a result of the former of these two functions, he or she is sometimes also called a bard. According to Paul Oliver in his book "Savannah Syncopators", "Though [the griot] has to know many traditional songs without error, he must also have the ability to extemporize on current events, chance incidents and the passing scene. His wit can be devastating and his knowledge of local history formidable". Although they are popularly known as "praise singers", griots may use their vocal expertise for gossip, satire, or political comment.