"One Last Time": George Washington's goodbye from the musical Hamilton
Explanation:
George Washington privately informs Alexander Hamilton that he is stepping down from office and that Thomas Jefferson resigned so he could run for the presidency. Hamilton is shocked, but Washington convinces him it is the right thing to do for them, as well as the nation. Together, Washington urges Hamilton to relax and have a drink with him for the last time so that he can finally "sit under my own vine and fig tree" and look back on what he has created, while they write his Farewell Address together
SCRIPT!!
[HAMILTON]
Mr. President, you asked to see me?
[WASHINGTON]
I know you're busy
[HAMILTON]
What do you need, sir?
Sir?
[WASHINGTON]
I want to give you a word of warning
[HAMILTON]
Sir, I don't know what you heard
But whatever it is, Jefferson started it
[WASHINGTON]
Thomas Jefferson resigned this morning
[HAMILTON]
You're kidding
[WASHINGTON]
I need a favor
[HAMILTON]
Whatever you say, sir, Jefferson will pay for his behavior
[WASHINGTON]
Shh, talk less
[HAMILTON]
I'll use the press, I'll write under a pseudonym
You'll see what I can do to him—
[WASHINGTON]
I need you to draft an address
[HAMILTON]
Yes! He resigned, you can finally speak your mind—
[WASHINGTON]
No, he's stepping down so he can run for President
[HAMILTON]
Ha! Good luck defeating you, sir
[WASHINGTON]
I'm stepping down, I'm not running for President
[HAMILTON]
I'm sorry, what?
[WASHINGTON]
One last time
Relax, have a drink with me
One last time
Let's take a break tonight
And then we'll teach them how to say goodbye
To say goodbye
You and I
[HAMILTON]
Sir, with Britain and France on the verge of war, is this the best time—
[WASHINGTON]
I want to warn against partisan fighting
[HAMILTON]
But—
[WASHINGTON]
Pick up a pen, start writing
I want to talk about what we have learned
The hard-won wisdom I have earned
[HAMILTON]
As far as the people are concerned
You have to serve, you could continue to serve—
[WASHINGTON]
No. One last time
The people will hear from me
One last time
And if we get this right
We're gonna teach 'em how to say goodbye
Goodbye
You and I
[HAMILTON]
Mr. President, they will say you're weak
[WASHINGTON]
No, they will see we're strong
[HAMILTON]
Your position is so unique
[WASHINGTON]
So I'll use it to move them along
[HAMILTON]
Why do you have to say goodbye
[WASHINGTON]
If I say goodbye, the nation learns to move on
It outlives me when I'm gone
Like the scripture says:
"Everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree
And no one shall make them afraid."
They'll be safe in the nation we've made
I want to sit under my own vine and fig tree
A moment alone in the shade
At home in this nation we've made
One last time
[HAMILTON]
One last time
Though, in reviewing the incidents of my administration
I am unconscious of intentional error
I am nevertheless too sensible of my defects not to think it
Probable that I may have committed many errors.
I shall also carry with me
[HAMILTON]
The hope that my country
Will view them with indulgence
And that after forty-five years of my life
Dedicated to its service
With an upright zeal
The faults of incompetent abilities will be
Consigned to oblivion, as I myself
Must soon be to the mansions of rest
I anticipate with pleasing expectation
That retreat in which I promise myself
To realize the sweet enjoyment in partaking,
in the midst of my fellow citizens, the
Benign influence of good laws
Under a free government,
the ever-favorite object of my heart,
and the happy reward, as I trust
Of our mutual cares, labors, and dangers.
[WASHINGTON]
The hope
View them with indulgence
After forty-five years of my life dedicated to its service with an upright zeal
Consigned to oblivion, as I myself
Must soon be to the mansions of rest
I anticipate with pleasing expectation
That retreat in which I promise myself
To realize the sweet enjoyment in partaking,
in the midst of my fellow citizens, the
Benign influence of good laws
Under a free government,
the ever-favorite object of my heart,
and the happy reward, as I trust
Of our mutual cares, labors, and dangers.
[WASHINGTON]
One last time
[ALL WOMEN]
George Washington's going home...
[HAMILTON]
Teach 'em how to say goodbye
[WASHINGTON]
You and I
Going home
History has its eyes on you
We're gonna teach 'em how to say goodbye
Teach 'em how to say goodbye
To say goodbye
Say goodbye!
One last time
George Washington's going home
George Washington's going home
George Washington's going home
George Washington's going home
Teach 'em how to say goodbye!
Teach 'em how
Say goodbye
Say goodbye
One last time
Basically, it is a retirement song :)
