Christopher Jackson & Original Broadway Cast Of Hamilton - History Has Its Eyes On You Lyrics

Christopher Jackson & Original Broadway Cast Of Hamilton Lyrics

"History Has Its Eyes On You"
(from "Hamilton: An American Musical" soundtrack)

[Washington:]
I was younger than you are now
When I was given my first command
I led my men straight into a massacre
I witnessed their deaths firsthand
I made every mistake
And felt the shame rise in me
And even now I lie awake

[Washington (Laurens/Mulligan):]
Knowing history has its eyes on me (Whoa oh oh…)
(Whoa…)
(Whoa…)
(Yeah)

[Hamilton/Washington (Company):]
History has its eyes on me (Whoa oh oh…)
(Whoa…)
(Whoa…)
(Yeah)

[Washington:]
Let me tell you what I wish I'd known
When I was young and dreamed of glory
You have no control

[Washington And Company:]
Who lives, who dies, who tells your story

[Washington:]
I know that we can win
I know that greatness lies in you
But remember from here on in

[Washington/Hamilton and men (Ensemble):]
History has its eyes on you (Whoa oh oh…)
(Whoa…)
(Whoa…)

[Full Company:]
History has its eyes on you

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Writer(s): Lin-manuel Miranda

John Legend performs the version of this song on "The Hamilton Mixtape" compilation. He later said to Rolling Stone, "[Lin-Manuel Miranda] asked me to do that one, and if you read the casting notice when they originally cast George Washington, they said they wanted a John Legend type for it. So I think he already saw that was the right song for me."

George Washington references his defeat at the beginning of this song, when he sings about one of his first command: he lost a third of his men during the French attack at Fort Necessity on the 3rd of July 1754. That caused the French and Indian War of 1754-1763.

"History Has Its Eyes On You" lyrics

Christopher Jackson & Original Broadway Cast Of Hamilton Lyrics