BMM 23 - But Mr Adams

 

ADAMS: 

All right, gentlemen, let's get on with it. 

Which of us will write our Declaration of 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: 

But I say you should write it, Franklin

Yes, you 

 

FRANKLIN: 

Hell, no! 

 

ADAMS: 

Yes, you, Dr. Franklin, you

 (But) you, (but) you, but— 

 

FRANKLIN: 

Mr. Adams, but Mr. Adams,

The things I write 

Are only light extemporania

I won't put politics on paper

It's a mania!

So, I refuse to use the pen

In Pennsylvania

 

 OTHERS: 

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 disliked

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

(But) you, (but) you, but—

 

 SHERMAN:

Mr. Adams, but Mr. Adams,

I cannot write with any style 

Or proper etiquette

I don't know a participle 

From a predicate

I am just a simple cobbler 

From Connecticut 

 

OTHERS: 

Connecticut!

Connecticut!

A simple cobbler he! 

 

ADAMS: 

Mr. Livingston, maybe you should write it

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  

 

OTHERS: 

He's obnoxious and disliked

Did you know that? 

 

LIVINGSTON: 

I hadn't heard! 

 

ADAMS: 

So, I say you should write it, Robert

Yes, you 

 

LIVINGSTON: 

Not me, Johnny! 

 

ADAMS: 

Yes, you, Robert Livingston, you

(But) you, (but) you, but— 

 

LIVINGSTON: 

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 the cork

With all the Livingstons together 

Back in old New York 

 

OTHERS: 

New York!

New York!

Livingston's going to pop a cork! 

 

ADAMS: 

Well, Mr. Jefferson— 

 

JEFFERSON:

Mr. Adams, leave me alone! 

 

ADAMS:

 Mr. Jefferson— 

 

JEFFERSON:

Mr. Adams, I have not seen my wife for the past six months! I beg of you— 

 

ADAMS: 

"And we solemnly declare that we will preserve our liberties being with one mind resolve to die free men rather than to live slaves." Thomas Jefferson, on the Necessity of Taking Up Arms, 1775. Magnificent! You write ten times better than any man in Congress, including me. For a man of only thirty-three years, you have a happy talent of composition and a remarkable felicity of expression. Now then, sir, will you a patriot or a lover? 

 

JEFFERSON: 

Lover! 

 

ADAMS: 

No! 

 

JEFFERSON:

But I burn, Mr. A! 

 

ADAMS: 

So do I, Mr. J!

 

 JEFFERSON:

You?

 

 SHERMAN: 

You do? 

 

JEFFERSON:

 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 combustibility

 

 OTHERS: 

Combustibility

Combustibility

Combustibili— 

 

JEFFERSON: 

QUIET!

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

Oh, Mr. Adams,

You are driving me to homicide! 

 

OTHERS: 

Homicide!

Homicide!

We may see murder yet! 

 

From Wikipedia: 1776 is a musical with music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and a book by Peter Stone. The show is based on the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, telling a story of the efforts of John Adams to persuade his colleagues to vote for American independence and to sign the document. The show premiered on Broadway in 1969 where it received acclaim and won three Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

 

Looking for a way to save the independence movement, Adams moves to postpone the vote to allow for the creation of a formal Declaration of Independence that can be used in the courts of Europe to rally favor and assistance to the cause of American independence (this will also grant Adams time to persuade the anti-independence delegates to his side). Hancock votes with Adams, as many in Congress would like to have a break.

 

Before they adjourn, John Hancock appoints a committee of Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Robert Livingston of New York, and Thomas Jefferson (who is on the point of going home to see his wife, whom he has not seen in six months) to draft the declaration. The five argue about who should write the declaration ("But, Mr. Adams"); the choice falls on a reluctant Jefferson, since Adams is "obnoxious and disliked," Franklin won't write politics, Sherman has no writing ability, and Livingston is headed home to celebrate the birth of his new son. 

 

My own thoughts: I never saw this musical or heard any songs from it before. In essence, this was a random pick from a Googled list of popular Broadway songs. 

 

I listened to this song to make sure I got the lyrics right, and I'll admit it's pretty catchy. It has a sort of Monty Python feel to it, and I don't really care for Monty Python at all. But it's funny, it's got good rhythm, and there's a little history tucked away for anyone who's a bit of a history nut.

 

So, if nothing else, this song is good. Far from spectacular but just as far from awful.