Tuning: E A D G B E

Note: This is an ensemble number, but rather than writing out all of who sing what, I've just credited the line to whoever predominantly sings the melody line. [Intro] Em Fm [Verse 1]

[Burr] Ah, ^AmMr Secretary! [Hamilton] ^F7Mr Burr, sir! [Burr] Did you ^Dm7hear the news about good ^E7old general Mercer? [Ham] ^AmNo [Burr] You know ^F7Clermont Street? [Ham] Yeah [Burr] They renamed it ^Dm7after him, the Mercer l^E7egacy is secure [Ham] Sure

N.C.

[Burr] And all he had to do was die. [Ham] That's a lot less work

[Burr] We outta give it a try! [Ham] Ha! [Burr] Now how're you gonna get your debt plan through? [Ham] I guess I'm gonna finally have to listen to you [Burr] Really?

[Ham^Am] Talk^F7 less^Dm7, smile^E7 more [Burr] Ha! [Ham] ^AmDo whatever it^F7 takes to get my^Dm7 plan on the congress ^E7floor [Burr] ^AmNow, Madison and ^F7Jefferson are merciless [Ham] Well, ^Dm7hate the sin, l^E7ove the sinner [Madiso^Amn] Hamilton! [Ham] I'm sorry,^F7 Burr, I've gotta go! [Burr] ^Dm7But- [Ham] Decisions are h^E7appening over dinner.

Em Fm

[Burr] ^AmTwo Virginians and an ^F7immigrant walk into a^Dm7 room diametrically^E7 opposed, foes ^AmThey emerge with a^F7 compromise, having opened^Dm7 doors that were previously^E7 closed, bros ^AmThe immigrant emerges with^F7 unprecedented financial^Dm7 power a system he can^E7 shape however he wants ^AmThe Virginians^F7 emerge with the nation’s^Dm7 capital and here’s the^E7 pièce de résistance:

[Chorus]

^AmNo one else was in the^F7 room where it happened ^Dm7The room where it happened, the ^E7room where it happened ^AmNo one else was in the ^F7room where it happened ^Dm7The room where it happened, the r^E7oom where it happened ^AmNo one really knows how the ^F7game is played ^Dm7The art of the trade, how the s^E7ausage gets made ^F7We just assume that it happens ^E7But no one else is in the room where it happens.

Em Fm [Verse 2]

[Burr] ^AmThomas claims— [Jefferson] ^F7Alexander was on Washington’s ^Dm7doorstep one day in d^E7istress and disarray [Burr]^AmThomas claims— [Jeff] ^F7Alexander said— [Ham] I’ve n^Dm7owhere else to turn! [Jeff] And basically ^E7begged me to join the fray [Burr] ^AmThomas claims— [Jeff] I ^F7approached Madison and said— “^Dm7I know you hate him, but le^E7t’s hear what he has to say.” [Burr] ^AmThomas claims— [Jeff] Well,^F7 I arranged the meeting. I^Dm7 arranged the menu, the^E7 venue, the seating

[Chorus]

[Burr] But! ^AmNo one else was in the ^F7room where it happened The ^Dm7room where it happened, the r^E7oom where it happened ^AmNo one else was in the ^F7room where it happened, ^Dm7the room where it happened, the r^E7oom where it happened ^AmNo one really knows how the ^F7parties get to yes, ^Dm7the pieces that are sacrificed in ^E7every game of chess ^F7We just assume that it happens, but^E7 no one else is in the room where it happens.

Em Fm [Verse 3]

[Burr]^Am Meanwhile, Madison is ^F7grappling with the fact that ^Dm7not every issue can be s^E7ettled by committee ^AmMeanwhile, congress is ^F7fighting over where to put the c^Dm7apital

(mute)

- [company screams incoherently] it isn't ^E7pretty Then J^Amefferson approaches with a ^F7dinner and invite and ^Dm7Madison responds with V^E7irginian insight: [Madison] ^AmMaybe we can solve one^F7 problem with another and ^Dm7win a victory for the S^E7outherners, in other words— (No Chord) [Jeff] Oh-ho! [Mad] A quid pro quo [Jeff]I suppose

[Mad] Wouldn’t you like to work a little closer to home? [Jeff] Actually, I would [Mad] Well, I propose the Potomac [Jeff] And you’ll provide him his votes? [Mad] Well, we’ll see how it goes [Jeff] Let’s go! [Chorus]

[Burr] No! —^Amone else was in the ^F7room where it happened ^Dm7The room where it happened, t^E7he room where it happened ^AmNo one else was in the ^F7room where it happened ^Dm7The room where it happened, t^E7he room where it happened [Burr] ^AmMy God! In^F7 God we trust,^Dm7 but we’ll never really know what ^E7got discussed ^F7Click-boom then it happened,^E7 and no one else was in the room where it happened

[Bridge]

[Company] ^AmAlexander Hamilton! [Burr]^Am7What did they say to you to get you to sell New York City down the river? [Company] ^CAlexander Hamilton! [Burr] ^C7Did Washington know about the dinner?

Was there presidential pressure to deliver?

[Company] ^DmAlexander Hamilton!

N.C.

[Burr] Or did you know, even then, it doesn’t matter where you put the U.S. Capital?

[Ham] Cuz we’ll have the banks, we’re in the same spot [Burr] You got more than you gave! [Ham] And I wanted what I got

^EmWhen you got skin in the game, ^Fmyou stay in the game ^EmBut you don’t get a win unless ^Fmyou play in the game ^EmOh, you get love for it. You get hate for it

You get nothing if you wait for it, wait for it, wait!

^Em God ^Fmhelp and forgive me ^EmI wanna build something that’s ^Fmgonna outlive me [Everyone] ^EWhat do you want, Burr? What do you want, Burr? ^E7If you stand for nothing Burr, then what do you fall for?

[Chorus]

[Burr] ^AmI w^F7anna be in the r^Dm7oom where it happens, the ro^E7om where it happens ^AmI w^F7anna be in the^Dm7 room where it happens, ^E7the room where it happens (x5, build in a crescendo, on third return repeat go to regular chorus) [Comp]T^Amhe art of the ^F7compromise— [Burr] ^Dm7Hold your nose and c^E7lose your eyes [Comp] ^AmWe want our leaders to ^F7save the day— [Burr] ^Dm7But we don’t get a say in what they t^E7rade away [Comp] ^AmWe dream of a ^F7brand new start— [Burr] ^Dm7But we dream in the d^E7ark for the most part [Burr] ^Dm7Dark as a tomb where it happens ^E7I've got to be in the room where it happens

[Company, while Burr riffs overtop] Am[/ch] E7 I've got to be...

^Am I've g^E7ot to be... The room where it happens ^Am I've g^E7ot to be... The room where it happens ^Am I've got to be... I^E7've gotta be... In the room

Click-boom! ^Am

Misc Soundtrack - Hamilton - the room where it happens