[Vocals: modern rap only, 6 separate male rappers, no opera] [Intro] 1776 This shit stacked Bitches 'bout to act Fuck that crown [Verse 1: Washington - older boom-bap veteran, deep gravel, slow menacing] It's Washington bitch, hear me spit Frost on my coat, flintlocks loaded, troops rowin they boats Crossed that Riv-ah, got that drop on the opps Christmas night, rowin in Twilight, God gift us cover. Cold ass wintah storm, kept us hidden, un-discovered. Boots on the boards, stood still like a threat Signed my name like a soldjha, no regret One fist on the map, one fist on fate If we bend we break — if we wait, we late! We got the drop on em, Hessians got clapped "Surprise motha-fuckas", we snuck up on they ass! We nev-ah kneel to no bitch in a powdered-wig Give us Victory or Death! [Pre-Chorus: All - shouted gang vocals] Hold your breath! Count that cost! Move now or this war be lost! Tories in the back, shut your mouth Benedict! Cowards get cut, traitors get hit [Chorus: All - yelled chant, no singing] Raise it up, 17-76! Hands be armed, hearts be calm! Raise it up, 17-76! Fuck the king! Fuck the redcoats! Raise it up! [Verse 2: Jefferson - arrogant mid-high tenor, cold flex] Thomas Jefferson, Sleeves rolled high My quill a blade, drippin ink till i die Evenin' my brotha's, our fathers be gone Swear on they dirt we ain't laborin' long Kings and thrones — all that shit We take up steel, against that bitch Ink stain my thumb, lamp low in the room Ev-ah-ree word I write be deadly, an empires doom Soft spoken OG, I be bringing that smoke I cut through they doubt, with a sin-gle stroke Ink dry first — Blood too, if lobsterbacks want it Mad King been warned, Americans nev-ah submit [Verse 3: Hamilton - young sharp nasal, rapid-fire] The OG Alexander Hamilton. That Real Island—Boy! I enter the fray, Hear me spit this shit, got plenty to say Be Heav-ee with Hun-guh n' grit Tyrant King be sendin writs talkin' that shit An Orphan boy from that breezy coast Vex-ing King George and his Par-la-ment boasts the most No ped-i-gree, just the Pow-ah of that pen We ain't fuckin' around, we mar-shal-ing men My quill's like a blade, I do draft our defense Bowin' to monarchs make no fuckin' sense This the sound of Rev-o-lution, hear rattlin' chains We washin' that crown out our blood and veins Come get that smoke, I be on that field, my cannons ignite Laughin' at the Redcoats, when they runnin in fright! [Verse 4: Adams - angry, harsh urgent rap baritone] John Adams be staunch, tongue like a gun These traitors sittin', be whisperin', shall soon be hung I stand on business, full of grit Ten toes down in this chamber, I spit Cowards and cautious do be crying like a bitch I heard the Ops, heard they doubt Cowards tryin' to par-ley and out! They trembling at Redcoats, whisperin' of "peace" But my voice be a hammer, that shit don't cease Fuck they silks, they tea, they grace I be spittin' on they mandates here in this place Let King George send his navy, Hessians, his men For the fight poppin' off and we shall nev-ah bend Come get some, you powdered-wig sons a bitches [Verse 5: Madison - low whispered trap-spoken, close-mic] James Madison whisperin' federal pacts Need no bitch monarch to dictate our acts I balance that pow-ah, the weight of the state Structure shit so careful it masters our fate I may be weak in bod-ee but be fearce in mind Ev-ah-ree word I write, a fuckin' weapon of might Fuck the Mad King, no more tyrants, papers be spun That Law shall be King, when the battle is won So bal-ance the courts, let the statutes a-lign We Leav-ing the shadow of that tie-rant be-hind. (Traitors don't get a verse. They get a footnote) [Verse 6: Franklin - old drunk theatrical raspy witty mid-baritone] Benjamin Franklin, it's the real OG, King George a bitch! I be Printin' this shit with a smirk on my lips, got a spark in my eye Snatched that lightning, I've been fuckin' with that sky My brothas, I kept my oath. My flintlock loaded let's bring that smoke Laughin' at they threats as the thun-dah crash down That Kite can't fly in the shade of fuck-boys Crown Truth in dat thun-dah, truth in dat key Truth in sci-ence, sets a man free Gang — pass that par-cha-ment, ink still drippin' Original gangstas', we keep on spittin'. Get my flask. Bring my quill. We signin' this shit. Liberty or Death! Let us get fuckin' lit! [Bridge] [Washington gravel] Hear the drums, don't turn away [Adams shout] De-fy that Crown, we stand today [Jefferson cold] That shape, ready to wake [Hamilton rapid] Every bond we mean to break [Madison whisper] One hard vow, keep the design [Franklin smirk] Sky Flashin', papers jine [All yell] We gave the oath — holdin' it now Redcoats, Tories, cowards — findin' out how [Chorus] Raise it up, 17-76! Hands be armed, hearts be calm! Raise it up, 17-76! Fuck the king! Fuck the redcoats! Raise it up! [Outro] This shit done! Let freedom ring! One hard vow One living thing Crown can kiss our ass!
