Leslie Odom Jr.
Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story (2014 Workshop)
[ELIZA]
"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."

[WASHINGTON]
Let me tell you what I wish I'd known
When I was young and dreamed of glory
You have no control:

[WASHINGTON AND COMPANY]
Who lives
Who dies
Who tells your story?

[BURR]
President Jefferson:

[JEFFERSON]
With Hamilton gone, I dismantled the Federalist party
He did leave us with good credit though
I got Louisiana on sale

[WASHINGTON AND COMPANY]
Who lives
Who dies
Who tells your story?
[BURR]
President Madison:

[MADISON]
He was in a position to enrich himself a thousand ways, and he didn't
Does that make him foolish
Or honest?

[WASHINGTON AND COMPANY]
Who lives
Who dies
Who tells your story?

[ANGELICA]
Every other founding father story gets told
Every other founding father gets to grow old

[BURR]
And when you're gone, who remembers your name?
Who keeps your flame?[BURR AND MEN]
Who tells your story?
Who tells your story? 
[ANGELICA AND WOMEN]
Who tells your story?
Your story? 
[WOMEN]
Eliza

[ELIZA]
I put myself back in the narrative

[WOMEN]
Eliza

[ELIZA]​
I stop wasting time on tears
I live another fifty years
It's not enough

[WOMEN]
Eliza

[ELIZA]
I interview every soldier who fought by your side

[MULLIGAN/LAFAYETTE/LAURENS]
We tell your story

[ELIZA]
I try to make sense of your thousands of pages of writings
You really do write like you're running out of-
[ELIZA AND COMPANY]
Time

[ELIZA]
I rely on-

[ANGELICA AND ELIZA]
Angelica

[ELIZA]
While she's alive

[ANGELICA AND ELIZA]
We tell your story

[ELIZA]
She is buried in Trinity Church

[ANGELICA AND ELIZA]
Near you

[ELIZA]
When I needed her most, she was right on-

[ELIZA AND COMPANY]
Time

[ELIZA]
Every day is new
I ask myself, "What would you do if you had more-"

[ELIZA AND COMPANY]
Time

[ELIZA]
The Lord, in his kindness
He gives me what you always wanted
He gives me more-

[ELIZA AND COMPANY]
Time

[ELIZA]
I live to meet so many subsequent presidents

[MEN]
She tells your story

[ELIZA]
I speak out against slavery
You could've done so much more if you only had-

[ELIZA AND COMPANY]
Time

[ELIZA]
And I ask myself, "Have I done enough?"

[ELIZA AND COMPANY]
Will they tell your story?

[ELIZA]
Oh. Can I show you what I'm proudest of?

[WOMEN]
The orphanage

[ELIZA]
I established the first private orphanage in New York City

[WOMEN]
The orphanage

[ELIZA]
I help to raise hundreds of children
I get to see them growing up

[WOMEN]
The orphanage[ELIZA]
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? [COMPANY]
Time
Will they tell your story? 

[ELIZA]
Oh, I can't wait to see you again

[ELIZA AND HAMILTON]
It's only a matter of-

[ELIZA/HAMILTON/COMPANY]
Time