Here we
are, at the end of our Hamilton song
posts. Looking at the final three
numbers of Act II today – after more than two months of listening to this album
to the exclusion of nearly everything else, it still excites, wows, and stirs
me with its incredible music and lyrics.
“Best of Wives and Best of Women” – Eliza wakes to
find Hamilton preparing for his duel with Burr.
Unbeknownst to her, he’s writing a goodbye for her in case he doesn’t
make it. It’s such a short number, but
it weaves in threads from “It’s Quiet Uptown,” “Non-Stop,” and “That Would Be
Enough” to fine effect. There’s dramatic
irony everywhere, and Hamilton’s tenderness with her is beautiful.
Best
lyric: “Why do you write like you’re
running out of time?”
“The World Was Wide Enough” – What an all-around
wonderful song. Most of it borrows its
melody from “The Ten Duel Commandments,” although Burr gorgeously reprises “Wait
for It” at the end, and Hamilton’s final monologue pulls in elements from
numerous points in the show – not precisely life flashing before his eyes, but
reminiscent of that idea. From start to
finish, a stunning climax for the story.
Best
lyric: “Legacy. What is a legacy? / It’s planting seeds in a
garden you never get to see. / I wrote some notes at the beginning of a song
someone will sing for me. / America, you great unfinished symphony, you sent
for me. / You let me make a difference.”
“Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story” – It can be hard to
end a show in which the main character dies, but Hamilton does a lovely job of it.
The meditation on life, history, and being remembered is of course
relevant to Hamilton’s story, but it’s applicable to anyone, great or small. I really love the way the focus settles on
Eliza, giving us the opportunity to hear about the (many) amazing things this
woman did in Hamilton’s memory. When she
asks to show us what she’s “proudest of,” and the ensemble comes in so softly with, “The orphanage,” I get
chills every time.
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