I found the lyrics for Sit Down, John!, Piddle Twiddle and Resolve, Till Then, and Is Anybody There? at Salute to Spiner. The other lyrics came from listening to my copy of the new Broadway soundtrack over and over and over... *sighs* You get the idea.
Note: Congress means the whole congress, congress men means a few members, and congress man means one
Adams
I have come to the conclusion that one useless man is called a disgrace, that two are called a law firm, and that three or more become a congress. And by God I have had this congress. For ten years king George and his parliament have gulled, collied, and diddled these colonies with their illegal taxes. Stamp act, Townsend act, sugar acts, tea acts, and when we dared stand up to them like men they stopped our trade, ceased our ships, blockaded our ports, burned our towns, and spilled our blood. And still, this congress won't grant any of my proposals on independence even so much as the courtesy of open debate. Good God, what in hell are they waiting for!
Congress
Sit down john
Sit down John
For God's sake John sit down!
Sit down John
Sit down John
For God's sake John sit down!
Congress man
Someone ought to open up a window
Congress
It's 90 degrees
have mercy John please
it's hot as hell in Philadelphia
Congress men
Someone ought to open up a window
Adams
I say vote yes
Congress
No!
Adams
Vote Yes
vote for independency!
Congress men
Someone ought to open up a window
Adams
I say vote yes
Congress
Sit down John!
Adams
Vote for independency
Congress man
Someone ought to open up a window
Congress
No no no!
Too many flies
yes
too many flies
but it's hot as hell in Philadelphia
Congress men
Are you going to open up a window
Congress men
Can't we compromise here
Adams
Vote yes
Congress men
No, too many flies here
Adams
Vote yes
Congress
Oh for God's sake John sit down
Adams
Good God consider yourselves fortunate that you have John Adams to abuse for no sane man would tolerate it.
Congress
John you're a bore
We've heard this before
Now for God's sake John sit down
Adams
I say vote yes
Congress
No!
Adams
Vote yes
Congress
No!
Adams
Vote for independency
Congress men
Someone ought to open up a window
Adams
I say vote yes
Congress
sit down John
Adams
Vote for independency!
Congress man
Will someone shut that man up!
Adams
Never! Never!
PIDDLE TWIDDLE AND RESOLVE
Adams
Dear God! For one solid year they have been sitting there, for one year doing nothing!
I do believe you've laid a curse on North America
A curse that we here now rehearse in Philadelphia
A second flood,
A simple famine
plagues of locusts everywhere
or a cataclysmic earthquake
I'd accept with some despair
but no you send us congress
good God sir was that fair?
I say this with humility in Philadelphia
we're your responsibility in Philadelphia
If you don't want to see us hanging
on some far off British hill
if you don't want the voice of independency
forever still
then God sir get thee to it!
For congress never will
You see we piddle twiddle and resolve
not one damn thing do we solve
piddle twiddle and resolve
nothing's ever solved
in foul, fetid, fuming, foggy, filthy, Philadelphia.
Congress Man
Someone ought to open up a window
Adams
Oh shut up!
They may sit here for years and years in Philadelphia
These indecisive grenadiers of Philadelphia
They can't decide on what is right or wrong
or what is good or bad
I'm convinced the only purpose
this congress ever had
was to gather here specifically
to drive John Adams mad!
You see we piddle twiddle and resolve
not one damn thing do we solve
piddle twiddle and resolve
nothing's ever solved
in foul, fetid, fuming, foggy, filthy Philadelphia
Abigail
John, John, is that you carrying on?
John
Adams
Oh Abigail, Abigail I have such a desire to knock heads together!
Abigail
I know my dearest I know, but that's because you make everything so complicated. It's all quite simple really.
Just tell congress to declare independency
then sign your name get our of there
and hurry home to me.
Our children all have dysenery
little Tom keeps turning blue
little Abby has the measles
and I'm coming down with flu
they say we may get small pox
Adams
Uh, Madam, what else is new?
Abigail, in my last letter I told you that the king has collected twelve thousand German Mercenaries to send agains us. I asked you to organize the ladies to make salt peter for gunpowder. Have you done as I asked?
Abigail
No John, I have not
Adams
Why have you not?
Abigail
Because you neglected to tell us how salt peter is made.
Adams
By treating sodium nitrate with potassium chloride of course!
Abigail
Oh yes, of course
Adams
Will it be done then?
Abigail
I'm afraid we have a more ugent problem John
Adams
More urgent madame?
Abigail
There's one thing every woman's missed in Massachusetts bay
Don't smirk at me you egotist; pay heed to what I say
We've been from Framingham to Boston and we cannot find a pin
don't you know there is a war on
say the tradesment with a grin
well we will not make salt peter until you send us pins
Adams
Pins madame? Salt peter
Abigail
Pins
Adams
salt peter
Abigail
Pins
Adams
Salt peter
Abigail
pins
Adams
Salt peter
Abigail
Pins
Adams
Peter
Abigail
Pins
Adams
Peter
Abigail
Pins
Adams
Peter
Abigail
Pins
Adams
Peter
Abigail
Pins
Adams
Done Madame, done
Abigail
Done John?
TILL THEN
Abigail
Hurry home John
Adams
As soon as I'm able
Abigail
Don't stop writing, it's all I have
Adams
Everyday, my dearest friend
Abigail
Till then
Abigail and Adams
Till then
I am as I ever was
and ever shall be
yours
yours
yours
yours
yours
Adams
Salt peter John
Abigail
Pins Abigail
Congress
For God's sake John, sit down
THE LEES OF OLD VIRGINIA
Franklin
Strictly speaking, Richard, while Virginia's views on independence are well-known, your legislature in Williamsburg has never formally authorized your delegation here in Congress to support the cause. Of course, if we could think of a Virginian with enough influence to go down there and persuade the House of Burgesses--
Lee
Damn me if I haven't thought of someone!
Franklin and Adams
Who?
Lee
Me!
Adams
Incredible. What makes you so sure you can do it?
Lee
Ha! My name is Richard Henry Lee, Virginia is my home.
My name is Richard Henry Lee, Virginia is my home!
And may my horses turn to glue if I can't deliver unto you
A resolution, on independency!
For I am FFV, the First Family
In the sovereign colony of Virginia!
Yes, the FFV, the oldest family
In the oldest colony of America!
And may the British burn my land,
If I can't deliver to your hand,
A resolution, on independency!
You see, it's here a Lee,
There a Lee, everywhere a Lee, a Lee!
Franklin
Social-
Lee
-ly
Franklin
Political-
Lee
-ly
Franklin
Financial-
Lee
-ly
Franklin
Natural-
Lee
-ly
Franklin
Internal-
Lee
-ly
Franklin
External-
Lee
-ly
Franklin
Fraternal-
Lee
-ly
Franklin
Eternal-
Lee
-ly
Franklin and Lee
The FFV, the first family
In the sovereign colony of Virginia!
Lee
And may my wife refuse my bed,
If I can't deliver, as I said,
A resolution, on independency!
Adams
Spoken modestly, God help us.
Franklin
He will, John, he will
Lee
They say that God in heaven is everybody's God
Franklin
Amen
Lee
I'll admit that God in heaven is everybody's God!
But I tell ya, John, with pride,
God leans a little on the side
Of the Lees, the Lees of old Virginia!
You see, it's here a Lee, there a Lee,
Everywhere a Lee, a Lee
Here a Lee, there a Lee,
Everywhere a Lee.
Look out! There's Arthur Lee, Bobby Lee, General Lighthorse Harry Lee, Willie Lee, Jessie Lee--
Franklin
And Richard H!
Lee
That's me!
And may my blood stop runnin' blue,
If I can't deliver unto you,
A resolution, on independency!
Yes, sir! By God it's here a Lee, there a Lee!
C'mon, boys, join in with me!
Franklin, Adams, and Lee
Here a Lee, there a Lee!
Franklin
When do you leave?
Lee
Immediately!
Franklin, Adams, and Lee
Here a Lee, there a Lee!
Franklin
When do you return?
Lee
Shortly!
Franklin, Adams, and Lee
Here a Lee, there a Lee!
Lee
And I'll come back triumphantly!
Franklin, Adams, and Lee
Here a Lee, there a Lee!
Everywhere a Lee, a Lee!
Lee
Forward, ho!
Adams
That was the most revolting display I ever witnessed.
Franklin
They're warm-blooded people, Virginians.
Adams
Not him, Franklin, you!
Franklin
Cheer up, John. At this very moment, our cause is again riding high, and sitting straight in the saddle and in full gallop for Virginia.
Lee
And our women are serene!
Adams
Good God!
Lee
Full-busomed--
Franklin
Full-busomed?!
Lee
Full-busomed, Benji! Every one a queen!
Why they are Lees, dammit, Lees of old Virginia!
Yes, sir! By God it's here a Lee, there a Lee!
C'mon, John, step lively!
Franklin, Adams, and Lee
Here a Lee, there a Lee!
Everywhere a Lee, a Lee!
| Franklin and Adams
Here a Lee, there a Lee! Everywhere a Lee, a Lee! Here a Lee, there a Lee! |
Lee
Forward, ho! |
BUT, MR. ADAMS
Adams
All right, Gentlemen, let's get on with it. Which of us will write our declaration on independence?
Franklin
Mr. Adams, I say you should write it.
To your legal mind and brilliance, we defer
Adams
Is that so? Well, if I'm the one to do it,
They'll run their quill pens through it,
I'm obnoxious and disliked, you know that, Sir.
Franklin
Yes, I know
Adams
Then, Franklin, I say you should write it.
Franklin
Hell, no!
Adams
Yes, you, Dr. Franklin, you!
Franklin
But--
Adams
You!
Franklin
But--
Adams
You!
Franklin
But! Mr. Adams, but, Mr. Adams,
The things I write are only light extemplorania.
I won't put politics on paper, it's a mania,
So I refuse to use a pen in Pennsylvania.
Franklin, Sherman, Livingston, and Jefferson
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Refuse to use the pen!
Adams
Mr. Sherman, I say you should write it.
You are never controversial, as it were.
Sherman
That is true.
Adams
Whereas, if I'm the one to do it,
They'll run their quill pens through it.
I'm obnoxious and diskliked, you know that, Sir.
Sherman
Yes, I do.
Adams
Then I say you should write it, Roger, yes you!
Sherman
Good heavens, no!
Adams
Yes, you Roger Sherman, you!
Sherman
But--
Adams
You!
Sherman
But--
Adams
You!
Sherman
But! Mr. Adams, but, Mr. Adams
I cannot write with an style or proper ettiquete
I do not know a participle from a predicate
I am just a simple cobbler from Connecticut.
Franklin, Sherman, Livingston, and Jefferson
Connecticut
Connecticut
A simple cobbler, he!
Adams
Mr. Livingston, maybe you should write
You have many friends and you're a diplomat
Franklin
Oh, that word!
Adams
Whereas, if I'm the one to do it,
They'll run their quill pens through it.
Franklin, Sherman, and Jefferson
He's obnoxious and diskliked, did you know that?
Livingston
I hadn't heard
Adams
Then I say you should write it, Robert, yes you.
Livingston
Not me, Johnny!
Adams
Yes, you Robert Livingston, you!
Livingston
But--
Adams
You!
Livingston
But--
Adams
You!
Livingston
But! Mr. Adams, dear Mr. Adams
I've been presented with a new son by the noble stork,
So I am going home to celebrate and pop a cork!
With all the Livingstons together back in old New York!
Franklin, Sherman, Livingston, and Jefferson
New York!
New York!
Livingston's going to pop a cork!
Adams
Mr. Jefferson.
Jefferson
Mr. Adams, leave me alone!
Adams
Mr. Jefferson--
Jefferson
Mr. Adams, I beg you, I have not seen my wife these past six months!
Adams
You write ten times better than any man in Congress, including me! For a man of only 33 years, you possess a happy talent for composition and a remarkable felicity of expression. Now, then, will you be a patriot, or a lover?
Jefferson
A lover!
Adams
No!
Jefferson
But I burn, Mr. A!
Adams
So do I, Mr. J!
Jefferson
You?
Sherman
You do?
Franklin
John!
Livingston
Who'd have thought it?
Adams
Mr. Jefferson, dear Mr. Jefferson.
I'm only forty-one, I still have my virility
And I can romp through Cupid's grove with great agility!
But life is more than sexual combustability!
Franklin, Sherman, and Livingston
Combustability
Combustabilty,
Com-bust-a-bil-a--
Adams
Quiet! Now, you'll write it, Mr. J.
Jefferson
Who will make me, Mr. A?
Adams
I.
Jefferson
You?
Adams
Yes.
Jefferson
How?
Adams
By--by physical force, if necessary. It's your duty, it's your duty, dammit!
Jefferson
Mr. Adams. Damn you, Mr. Adams
You're obnoxious and disliked, that cannot be denied.
Once again, you stand between me and my lovely bride.
Franklin, Sherman, and Livingston
Lovely bride
Jefferson
Oh, Mr. Adams, you are driving me to homicide!
Franklin, Sherman, and Livingston
Homicide
Homicide
We may see murder, yet!
YOURS, YOURS, YOURS
Adams
Oh, Abigail, come to Philadelphia. Please come.
Abigail
Thank you, John. I do want to, but you know it's not possible now. The children still have the measles. And it appears the farm here in Braintree is failing, John. The chickens and geese have died. And the apples never survive the late frost. How do you suppose Mrs. Jefferson managed to get away?
Adams
Winters are soft in Virginia.
Abigail
And their women, John?
Adams
Fit for Virginians, Madam, but pale, puny things beside New England girls.
Abigail
Oh, John, I thank you for that.
Adams
How goes it with you, Abigail?
Abigail
Not well, John, not at all well.
I live like a nun in a cloister,
Solitary, celibate, I hate it.
And you, John?
Adams
Ach, I live like a monk in an abbey,
Ditto, ditto, I hate it.
Abigail
Write to me, with sentimental effusion.
Let me revel in romantic illusion.
Adams
Do you still smell of vanilla and spring air?
And is my favorite lover's pillar still firm and fair?
Abigail
What was there, John, still is there, John.
Come, soon as you can, to my cloister,
I've forgotten the feel of your hand!
Adams
Soon, Madam, we shall walk in Cupid's grove together
Adams and Abigail
And we'll fondly servey, that promised land!
Til then, til then, I am, as I ever was,
And ever shall be, yours, yours, yours, yours, yours.
Abigail
Saltpeter, John.
HE PLAYS THE VIOLIN
Franklin
Tell us about yourself, Madam. We've had precious little information. What's your first name?
Martha
Martha.
Franklin
Oh, Martha. He might at least have told us that. I'm afraid your husband doesn't say very much.
Adams
Most silent man in Congress. I've never heard him utter three sentences together.
Franklin
Not everyone's a talker, John!
Martha
It's true, you know. Tom is not a talker.
Oh, he never speaks his passion,
He never speaks his views.
Whereas other men speak volumes,
The man I love is mute.
In truth, I can't recall
Being wooed with words at all.
Even now...
Adams
Go on, Madam.
Franklin
How did he win you, Martha? And how does he hold on to a bounty such as you?
Martha
He plays the violin.
He tucks it right under his chin
And he bows, oh he bows,
For he knows, yes he knows,
That it's high, high, high diddle diddle
'Twixt my heart, Tom and his fiddle
My strings are unstrung!
High, high, high, hi-igh!
I am undone!
Franklin
The violin, Madam?
Martha
I hear his violin,
And I get that feeling within,
And I sigh, oh I sigh
He draws near, very near
And it's high, high, high diddle
And good-bye to the fiddle!
My strings are unstrung!
High, high, high, hi-igh!
I'm always undone.
Franklin
That settles it, John, we're taking up the violin!
Adams
Very well, Madam, you've got us playing the violin, what happens next?
Martha
Why, just what'd you expect. We dance!
Adams
Dance?
Franklin
Dance? Incredible!
John, you can dance!
Adams
Not everyone's from Philadelphia, Franklin.
Martha, Adams, and Franklin
High, high, high, hi-igh!
Martha
And heaven calls to me!
Sing me no sad elegy!
Say I died, loving bride,
Loving wife, loving life!
For it was high, high, high diddle, diddle,
'Twixt my heart, Tom and his fiddle!
And there 'twill be!
Martha, Franklin, and Adams
High, high, high, hi-igh!
Martha
Through eternity!
Adams
He plays the violin
Franklin
He plays the violin
Martha
He plays the violin!
COOL, COOL, CONSIDERATE MEN
Dickinson
Oh, say do you see what I see?
Congress sitting here in complete serenity.
I could cheer! The reason's clear:
For the first time in a year, Adams isn't here.
And, look, the sun is in the sky,
A breeze is blowing by, and there's not a single fly!
I sing hosanna, hosanna!
Conservatives
Hosanna, hosanna!
Dickinson
And it's cool.
Come, ye cool, cool, conservative men,
Our life may never ever be seen again!
We have land, cash in hand,
Self-command, futures planned.
Fortune thrives, society survives,
In deeply ordered lives, with well-endowed wives.
Conservatives
Come, sing hosanna, hosanna!
Dickinson
In our breeding and our manner,
Dickinson and Conservatives
We are cool.
Dickinson
Come, ye cool, cool, considerate set,
We'll dance together to the same minuet.
To the right, ever to the right!
Never to the left! Forever to the right!
Let our creed be never to exceed
Regulated speed, no matter what we need!
Conservatives
Come, sing hosanna, hosanna!
Dickinson
Emblazoned on our banner is: keep cool!
Conservatives
To the right, ever to the right!
Never to the left, forever to the right!
Dickinson
Hands attach, tightly latched, everybody match
Courier (or Thomson)
I have a new dispatch
Dickinson and Conservatives
What we do, we do rationally
We never ever go off half-cocked,
Not we. Why begin, till we know that we can win
Dickinson
And, if we cannot win,
Dickinson and Conservatives
Why bother to begin?
Rutledge
We say this game's not of our choosin'
Why should we risk losin'?
Dickinson, Rutledge, and Conservatives
We cool, cool men
Dickinson
Mr. Hancock, you're a man of property, one of us. Why not join us in our minuet? Why do you persist on dancing with Mr. Adams? Good Lord, Sir, you don't even like him!
Hancock
That is true, he annoys me quite a lot.
But, still, I'd rather trot,
To Mr. Adams new gavotte
Dickinson
But why? For personal glory, a place in history? Be careful, Sir, history will brand him and his followers as traitors.
Hancock
Traitors to what? The British crown? Or the British half-crown?
Dickinson
(chuckles)
Hancock
Fortunately, there are not enough men of property in America to dictate policy.
Dickinson
Perhaps not, but don't forget that most men with nothing would rather protect the possibilty of becoming rich, than face the reality of being poor. And that is why they will follow us
Dickinson and Conservatives
To the right, ever to the right,
Never to the left, forever to the right!
Where there's gold, how remarkable to behold!
Tradition that is old, reluctant to be bold!
Come, sing hosanna, hosanna!
Dickinson
In a sane and lucid manner, we are cool!
Conservatives
We are the cool, cool considerate men.
Who's life may never ever be seen again!
With our land, cash in hand,
Self-command, futures planned.
And we'll hold, to our gold,
Tradition that is old, reluctant to be bold
We say this game's not of our choosing,
Why should we risk losing?
Dickinson
We cool,
Some Conservatives
Cool
Other Conservatives
Cool
Yet Other Conservatives
Cool
Still Other Conservatives
Cool
Dickinson
Cool
Some Conservatives
Cool
Other Conservatives
Cool
Yet Other Conservatives
Cool
Still Other Conservatives
Cool
Dickinson and Conservatives
Cool, cool, men!
MOMMA LOOK SHARP
McNair
Want another rum, General?
Courier
General? Lord, I ain't even a corporal.
McNair
Yeah, well, what's the army know? What's it like out there, General?
Courier
You probably know more'n me.
McNair
Sittin' in here? Heh, Sweet Jesus, this is the last place to find out what's goin' on.
Leather Apron
You seen any fightin'?
Courier
Shore did. I seed my two best friends get shot dead, in the very same day. At Lexington it was, too. Right on the village green. And when they didn't come home for supper, their mommas went down the hill, lookin' for 'em. Miss Lowell, she found Timothy right off. But Ms. Pickett, she looked near half an hour for William, 'cause he went and crawled off the green 'fore he died.
Momma, hey, Momma, come lookin' for me.
I'm here, in the meadow, by the red maple tree
Momma, hey, Momma, look sharp, here I be
Hey, hey, Momma, look sharp
Them soldiers, they fired, oh Ma, did we run!
But then we turned 'round, and the battle's begun!
Then I went under, oh, Ma, am I done?
Hey, hey, Momma, look sharp
My eyes are wide open, my face to the sky
Is that you I'm hearin', in the tall grass nearby?
Momma, come find me before I do die!
Hey, hey, Momma, look sharp
Courier, McNair, and Leather Apron
I'll close your eyes, my Billy,
Them eyes that cannot see
And I'll bury, my Billy,
Beneath the maple tree
Courier
And, never again, will you whisper, to me
Hey, hey, oh, Momma, look sharp
THE EGG
Adams
Jefferson, we've been looking for you!
Jefferson
They're reading the Declaration.
Adams
Well, there's nothing to fear, it's a masterpiece! I'm to be congratulated.
Franklin
You?
Adams
For making him write it.
Franklin
Oh, yes, of course!
Adams
It's a masterpiece, I say,
They will cheer every word, every letter
Jefferson
I wish I felt that way.
Franklin
I believe I can put it better
Now then, attend, as friend to friend,
Our Declaration committee,
For us I see immortality,
Adams, Franklin, and Jefferson
In Philadelphia city.
Franklin
A farmer, a lawyer, and a sage,
A bit gouty in the leg,
You know, it's quite bizarre,
To think that here we are,
Playing midwives to an egg.
Adams, Franklin, and Jefferson
We're waiting for the chirp, chirp, chirp,
Of an eaglet being born,
Waiting for the chirp, chirp, chirp,
On this humid Monday morning
In this Congressional incubator
Franklin
God knows the temperature's hot enough to hatch a stone!
Let alone an egg.
Adams
We're waiting for the scratch, scratch, scratch
Of that tiny little fella
Adams, Franklin, and Jefferson
Waiting for the egg to hatch,
On this humid Monday morning
In this Congressional incubator
Adams
God knows the temperature's hot enough to hatch a stone!
Jefferson
But will it hatch an egg?
Adams
This Declaration will be a triumph. A triumph, I tell you! If I was sure of anything, I was sure of that, a triumph! And if it isn't, well, we still have four days left to think of something else!
The eagle's going to crack the shell
Of the egg that England laid
Adams, Franklin, and Jefferson
Yes, sir, we can tell, tell, tell
On this humid Monday morning
In this Congressional incubator
Franklin
And just as Tom, here, has written,
Though the shell may belong to Great Britain,
The eagle inside belongs to us
Adams, Franklin, and Jefferson
And just as Tom, here, has written,
We say to hell with Great Britain!
The eagle inside belongs to us!
MOLASSES TO RUM
Rutledge
Mr. Jefferson, to us in South Carolina, black slavery is our peculiar institution and a cherished way of life.
Jefferson
Nevertheless, we must abolish it. Nothing is more certainly written in the Book of Faith than that this people shall be free.
Rutledge
I'm not concerned with the Book of Faith right now, Sir. Slavery is the basis of our economy.
Adams
Economy. Always economy. There's more to this than a filthy purse string, Rutledge. It's an offense against man and God.
Hopkins
It's a stinking business, Mr. Rutledge, a stinking business.
Rutledge
Is it really, Mr. Hopkins? Then what's that I smell? Floatin' down from the North? Why, could that be the aroma of hypocrisy? For who holds the other end of that filthy purse string, Mr. Adams? Our Northern brethren, feelin' a bit tender toward our slaves. They don't approve of slaves, no, but they're willin' to be considerable carriers o' slaves to others. They are willin', for the shillin'. Or haven't you heard, Mr. Adams? Clink, clink
Molasses to rum to slaves
Oh, what a beautiful waltz,
You dance with us, we dance with you,
In molasses and rum and slaves
Who sail the ships outta Boston, laden with Bibles and rum?
Who drinks a toast to the Ivory coast?
Hail, Africa, the slavers have come,
New England with Bibles and rum!
Then it's off with the rum and the Bibles,
Take on the slaves, clink, clink.
Then hail and farewell to smell
Of the African coast!
Molasses to rum to slaves
'Tisn't morals, 'tis money that saves
Shall we dance to the sound
Of the profitable pound,
In molasses and rum and slaves?
Who sail the ships outta Guinea, laden with Bibles and slaves!
'Tis Boston can boast, to the West Indies coast,
"Jamaica, we brung what ye craves,
Antigua, Barbados, we brung Bibles and slaves!"
Gentlemen, you mustn't think our Northern friends see black slaves as merely figures on a ledger. Oh, no, Sir, they see them as figures on a block. Notice the faces at the auctions, Gentlemen. White faces on the African wharves. Put them in the ships, cram them in the ships, stuff them in the ships! Alright, Gentlemen, let the auction begin!
(Note: it's impossible to accurately type what Rutledge says at this point, so let's just put 'cry of the auctioneer'.)
Gentlemen, you hear? That's the cry of the auctioneer!
(Cry of the auctioneer)
Slaves, Gentlemen! Black gold! Livin' gold! Gold from Angola,
Guinea, Guinea, Guinea! Blackbirds for sale!
(Cry of the auctioneer)
Look at the faces in the crowd, Gentlemen. White faces. New England faces. Sea-faring faces. Faces from Nantucket, Boston, Boston, Boston.
Blackbirds for sale! Handle them, fondle them, but don't finger
them! They're prime, they're prime!
(Cry of the auctioneer)
Congressman (Probably Bartlett or Witherspoon)
For the love of God, Mr. Rutledge, please!
Rutledge
Molasses to rum to slaves
Who sail the ships back to Boston?
Laden with gold, see it gleam?
Whose fortunes are made, in the triangle trade?
Hail slavery, the New England dream!
Mr. Adams, I give you a toast!
Hail Boston, hail Charleston!
Who stinketh the most!
COMPLIMENTS
Adams
Oh, Abigail, what am I going to do?
Abigail
Do, John?
Adams
You must tell me what it is. I've always been disatisfied, I know that. But lately, I find I reek of discontentment. It-it-it fills my throat and floods my brain and, sometimes--sometimes I fear there is no longer a dream, but only the discontentment.
Abigail
Oh, John. Can you really know so little about yourself, and can you think so little of me that you'd believe I'd marry the man you described. Have you forgotten what you used to say to me? I haven't: "Commitment, Abby, commitment. There are only two creatures of value on the face of this earth: those with a commitment and those who require the commitment of others." Do you remember, John?
Adams
I remember.
McNair
Mr. Adams! Mr. Adams.
Adams
What?
McNair
These are for you, they just arrived.
Adams
Well, just a minute, what are they? What's in them? Who sent them?
Abigail
Compliments of the Concord Ladies Coffee Club!
And The Sisterhood of the True Rose Synagogue!
And The Friday Evening Baptist Sewing Circle!
And the Holy Christian Sisters of St. Claire!
All for you, John! I am, as I ever was, and ever shall be
Yours! Yours! Yours! Yours!
Adams
Just a minute, Abigail. What's in those kegs?
Abigail
Saltpeter! John!
IS ANYBODY THERE?
Adams
Tell me, Mr. Thomson, out of curiosity, do you stand with Mr. Dickinson or do you stand with me?
Thomson
I stand with the General. Lately, I've had the oddest feeling that he's been writing to me:
To the Congress:
I have been in expectation of receiving a reply on the subject of
my last fifteen dispatches.
Is anybody there?
Does anybody care?
Is anybody there?
Your humble and obedient...
McNair
Are ya hungry, John?
Adams
No, I think I'll stay
McNair
Goodnight, then.
Adams
Is anybody there?
Does anybody care?
Does anybody see what I see?
They want me to quit
They say John give up the fight.
Still to England I say
Goodnight forever goodnight.
For I have crossed the Rubicon
let the bridge be burned behind me
come what may, come what may
Commitment!
The brokers all say we'll rue the day
there'll be hell to pay
in fiery purgatory
Through all the gloom through all the gloom
I can see the raise of ravishing lights
and glory
Is anybody there?!
Does anybody care?!
Does anybody see what I see?!
I see fireworks
I see the pageants and pomp and parades
I hear the bells ringing out
I hear the cannons roar
I see Americans
all Americans free
forever more!
How quiet, how quiet the chamber is
How silent, how silent the chamber is
Is anybody there?
Does anybody care?
Does anybody see what I see?
FINALE
Hancock
McNair, go ring the bell. Steven, sit down.
Hopkins
No, I want to remember each man's face as he signs.
Hancock
Very well. Mr. Thomson.
Thomson
New Hampshire: Dr. Josiah Bartlett.
Massachusettes: Mr. John Adams.
Rhode Island: Mr. Steven Hopkins.
Connecticut: Mr. Roger Sherman.
New York: Mr. Lewis Morris.
New Jersey: The Reverend John Witherspoon.
Pennsylvania: Dr. Benjamin Franklin and Mr. James Wilson.
Delaware: Mr. Caesar Rodney, Colonel Thomas McKean, and Mr. George Read.
Maryland: Mr. Samuel Chase.
Virginia: Mr. Richard Henry Lee and Mr. Thomas Jefferson.
North Carolina: Mr. Joseph Hewes.
South Carolina: Mr. Edward Rutledge.
Georgia: Dr. Lyman Hall.
******Final Curtain******
