"One Last Time" is the 9th song of Act Two of Hamilton and the 32nd song of both acts.
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
Lyrics[]
[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]
No, sir, why?
[WASHINGTON
I want to talk about neutrality
[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] | [WASHINGTON] |
[WASHINGTON]
One last time
[ALL WOMEN]
George Washington's going home...
[HAMILTON]
Teach 'em how to say goodbye
[WASHINGTON] | George Washington's going home |