Farmer Refuted Lyrics – Hamilton

Song Overview

Song Credits

• Featured: Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton
• Producers: Bill Sherman, ?uestlove, Black Thought, Alex Lacamoire, Lin-Manuel Miranda
• Composer: Lin-Manuel Miranda
• Release Date: 2015-09-25
• Genre: Broadway / Hip-hop / Musical Theatre
• Instruments: Violin, Viola, Cello, Banjo, Guitar, Synthesizer, Percussion, Harp, Drums, Bass, Keyboards
• Album: Hamilton: An American Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
• Label: Atlantic Records
• Length: Approx. 2:06
• Language: English

Song Meaning and Annotations

In the sixth track of *Hamilton: An American Musical*, titled “Farmer Refuted”, Lin-Manuel Miranda orchestrates a sharp, witty confrontation between Alexander Hamilton and Samuel Seabury, a Loyalist clergyman. This musical number cleverly intertwines historical context with theatrical flair, highlighting the ideological rift between revolutionaries and loyalists during America's fight for independence.

The Loyalist Voice: Samuel Seabury

Samuel Seabury, adopting the pseudonym “A.W. Farmer,” penned “Free Thoughts on the Proceedings of the Continental Congress” in 1774, expressing his opposition to the revolutionary movement. In *Hamilton*, Seabury's character delivers his arguments with a pronounced British accent, mirroring King George III, who was mockingly nicknamed “Farmer George.” This accentuation serves to underscore Seabury's allegiance to the Crown and his disdain for the colonial rebellion. Seabury's rhetoric in the song is laden with warnings about the perils of revolution, using phrases like “chaos and bloodshed” to instill fear and advocate for peace under British rule. His language, formal and admonishing, positions him as a paternal figure chastising the colonists, urging them to avoid the path of rebellion for their own good.

Hamilton's Rebuttal: Wit and Resolve

Contrasting Seabury's formalism, Hamilton's interjections are sharp, colloquial, and laced with sarcasm. He mocks Seabury's concerns, stating, “My dog speaks more eloquently than thee,” and questions the King's reach with the quip, “Is he in Jersey?” These retorts not only undermine Seabury's arguments but also reflect Hamilton's confidence in the revolutionary cause and his belief in self-governance. Hamilton's rapid-fire delivery and biting commentary serve to dismantle Seabury's positions, portraying him as out of touch and overly reliant on fear-mongering. The musical interplay between the two characters, with overlapping lines and escalating tension, mirrors the pamphlet wars of the era, where revolutionary and loyalist ideas clashed in print.

Historical Echoes and Artistic Choices

While the song draws inspiration from Seabury's actual writings, it takes creative liberties to enhance the theatrical experience. For instance, the line “Chaos and bloodshed are not a solution” echoes Seabury's sentiments but is not a direct quote. Miranda's choice to infuse the song with contemporary linguistic flair and musical counterpoint adds depth and relatability to the historical discourse. The song also subtly references events like the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party, situating the debate within the larger context of colonial unrest. Hamilton's dismissive attitude towards Seabury's warnings reflects the revolutionary spirit of the time, emphasizing a break from monarchical control and a move towards self-determination.

Conclusion: A Microcosm of Revolutionary Debate

“Farmer Refuted” encapsulates the ideological battles that defined the American Revolution. Through the characters of Seabury and Hamilton, the song presents a dynamic exchange of ideas, highlighting the tension between loyalty to the Crown and the pursuit of independence. Miranda's composition not only entertains but also educates, offering insight into the complexities of revolutionary thought and the power of persuasive discourse.

In “Farmer Refuted,” we find ourselves amid a public ideological brawl cloaked in powdered wigs and harpsichord flourishes. It's a micro-play within the larger revolution of Hamilton, with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Alexander Hamilton interrupting Samuel Seabury’s royalist monologue like a freestyle rapper hijacking a debate podium.

Opening Refrains: The Loyalist’s Lament

The piece begins with Seabury, played by Thayne Jasperson, reciting propaganda disguised as genteel concern:

“Heed not the rabble who scream revolution / They have not your interests at heart.”

Seabury speaks with the tone of a man clutching pearls at the sight of protestors. His lines are rhythmically stiff, stilted in their formality, mimicking both loyalist dogma and outdated civility.

Counterpoint as Combat

What makes the song theatrically brilliant is its structure — a literal counterpoint. Hamilton doesn’t wait for his turn. He overlaps Seabury’s words, derailing them:

“It’s hard to listen to you with a straight face.”

Like a Mozartian duel (nod to Amadeus fans), Hamilton’s rebuttals are not only lyrical but melodic. He transforms Seabury’s prim sermon into a comedy sketch of intellectual demolition. With barbed wit, he ridicules:

“My dog speaks more eloquently than thee.”

Political Philosophy in Rhymes

The lines double as a clash of worldviews — monarchy versus self-determination. Hamilton makes it clear he’d rather be abrasive and bold than passive:

“Burr, I’d rather be divisive than indecisive, drop the niceties.”

The battle isn't just ideological, it's classical refinement versus revolutionary improvisation. One represents inherited order, the other, unfiltered defiance.

Production as Irony

The harpsichord and minuet-inspired arrangement underscore the satire. You can almost hear powdered wigs being ruffled. Yet beneath the humor, there’s steel — a young revolutionary’s refusal to be silenced. The musical itself references actual writings from Hamilton and Seabury, blending 1775 prose with modern theatrical sharpness.

Similar Songs

1. “Cabinet Battle #1” – Lin-Manuel Miranda
   Also a rap duel with high stakes, this track channels the same verbal fencing, only now it’s Hamilton vs. Jefferson. Both songs thrive on aggressive interruptions and feature heated rhetorical blows. While “Farmer Refuted” is more mockery than policy, “Cabinet Battle” wrestles with slavery and national debt, making it the heavyweight sequel.
2. “You’ll Be Back” – Jonathan Groff
   This track, sung by King George III, mirrors the loyalist tone of Seabury but goes for pure sarcasm and menace. Both are polished, showtune-y odes to control, though “You’ll Be Back” leans further into psycho-ex territory. They share orchestration elements, like the harpsichord and regal flair, but George sings solo — he needs no rebuttal partner.
3. “Master of the House” – Les Misérables Original Cast
   Though thematically distant, it’s another moment of comic relief within political chaos. Like “Farmer Refuted,” it interrupts the narrative’s gravity with levity and layered irony. Both songs use counter-melodies, stage mockery, and heightened character accents to inject bite-sized satire into sprawling revolutions.

Questions and Answers

What historical documents inspired “Farmer Refuted”?

It draws directly from Alexander Hamilton’s 1775 essay “The Farmer Refuted,” a line-by-line response to Seabury’s loyalist pamphlets advocating against rebellion.

Why does the song use musical counterpoint?

The overlapping melodies highlight the argumentative tension between characters and reflect Hamilton’s ability to intellectually dominate by anticipation and interruption.

What’s the role of humor in this track?

Humor undercuts Seabury’s pomposity and boosts Hamilton’s charisma, making his ideology more relatable and his intellect more enjoyable to watch.

How does Hamilton’s tone differ from Burr’s here?

Hamilton is confrontational and mocking; Burr urges restraint. This foreshadows their political and personal divergence throughout the musical.

Why is this short scene so memorable?

Its brevity is deceptive — in just over two minutes, it captures ideological tension, theatrical brilliance, and character dynamics through wit and precision.

Awards and Chart Positions

“Farmer Refuted” was certified Gold by the RIAA on January 9, 2019, marking over 500,000 units sold or streamed in the U.S. Despite its brevity, it stands out as one of the cleverest interludes in the Hamilton repertoire.

Fan and Media Reactions

"Seabury getting verbally demolished never gets old." @historynerdgal

"This song is like watching someone lose an argument they started — but in musical form." @foundingfangirl

"I had to rewind the ‘my dog speaks more eloquently’ line. Devastating." @BenBarksBack

"The counterpoint structure here is genius. It’s like musical multitasking." @scorehead92

"Lin-Manuel turning an 18th-century op-ed spat into theater gold. We don’t deserve him." @TonysWhisperer