who lives who dies who tells your story lyrics

#Who lives who dies who tells your story lyrics full#

The story, in this case, is a story that I and everyone else who spent 12 years in the American education system have heard our entire lives: The Story of America. Two hours and thirty minutes later, I was lying face down on my bed sobbing as the dulcet tones of Phillipa Soo as Eliza sang about who lives, who dies, and who tells your story… Somewhat skeptical about a self-proclaimed hip-hop musical about one of America’s (formerly) least spoken about founding fathers, I clicked the link, not sure what to expect. In 2016, I got a text from a friend with nothing but an entire line of exclamation points and a link to the Hamilton soundtrack. I also love the theory that the show’s name is actually referencing both Eliza and Alexander Hamilton, which reflects how Alexander opened the show and Eliza closed it! I love that in the show, the cast step back for Alexander’s entrance and then again for Eliza’s gasp, giving her a moment at the front and centre of the stage in the spotlight.Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story?

#Who lives who dies who tells your story lyrics full#

This leads into the well known gasp! In the Hamilfilm, Phillipa Soo’s gasp is so full of emotion and had me in tears! I love how many different theories there are about this moment, is this Eliza’s death? Is Eliza seeing her legacy and the orphanage that is still open? Is Eliza seeing the audience that are watching their stories unfold on stage? Is Lin-Manuel Miranda still playing the role of Alexander Hamilton or at that point, is he himself? My personal favourite theory is that Eliza is seeing the audience full of people who have gone to watch their stories and she is realising that her work paid off and their stories are being told but also her orphanage is still open. The acapella ensemble section at the end sounds beautiful and I love the harmonies and layers in the vocals.

I love how the character gains confidence with her achievements as she is telling her story. As Eliza sings the line “I get to see them growing up”, Phillipa’s voice gains power and she looks up with pride evidence in her expression.

In Phillipa Soo’s portrayal in the Hamilfilm, she is also looking down, showing her reservations in celebrating her accomplishments. Up until now, Eliza has been showing what she has done to continue everyone else’s legacy, before showing her own work. Eliza sings about the other characters’ stories with power behind her voice however, when she begins to sing about her own achievements, she starts quietly, and asks if she can show what she is 'proudest of' as though she is asking permission. This section is sung quietly by Eliza, as though she more reserved and modest about her achievements that she made for herself. Eliza opens with “Can I show you what I’m proudest of” before telling how she “established the first private orphanage in New York City”. Once she has told everyone else’s stories, Eliza then goes on to tell her own story.