Guns and Ships Lyrics > Hamilton

Exploring the Meaning and Impact of "Guns and Ships" from Hamilton

Song Credits:

• Featuring Artists: Leslie Odom Jr. (Aaron Burr), Daveed Diggs (Marquis de Lafayette), Christopher Jackson (George Washington)
• Producers: Bill Sherman, ?uestlove, Black Thought, Alex Lacamoire, Lin-Manuel Miranda
• Composer and Writer: Lin-Manuel Miranda
• Release Date: September 25, 2015
• Label: Atlantic Records
• Musical Genre: Musical Theater, Hip-Hop
• Album: Hamilton: An American Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
• Language: English
• Mood: Energetic, Triumphant

Song Meaning

In the Broadway musical Hamilton, the story of the American rebels is depicted as similar to Alexander Hamilton's unlikely rise. The volunteer nature of the Army was a source of frustration for George Washington, who communicated his "Sentiments on a Peace Establishment" to Hamilton, advocating for a trained, conscripted army. However, during the Revolutionary period, Congress did not pass any such law mandating compulsory military service.

The term "superpower" is anachronistic in Hamilton, as it was not used until the mid-20th century. This section from Lin's notebook reveals an early draft of this section, which reads:

[BURR: How does a ragtag volunteer army in need of a shower Somehow defeat a global superpower? How does King George underestimate his haters?] King George: Once we beat the traitors, we'll be greeted as liberators! [MEN: Yay!!] No. We have a secret weapon! […]

The word "quagmire" can be taken as a piece of swamp land or a sticky situation—military, legal or otherwise. It's often used in conjunction with America's more recent military quagmires in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

The Betsy Ross flag was the first popularly adopted version of the flag of the United States of America, designed while the Patriots were still fighting the Revolution. According to oral history, Betsy Ross created it for George Washington after he came to her seamstress shop to commission it from a sketch.

The company's repeated exclamation of Lafayette's name also echoes Hamilton's, but with the three syllables rising in pitch rather than falling. His line in particular emphasizes Lafayette's similarities to Hamilton.

Marquis de La Fayette, like Hamilton, was orphaned at an early age and joined the military at 13. He joined the military at 13 and was only 18 when, moved by the American cause and hoping to prove himself in battle, commissioned a ship and arranged to be appointed by the Continental Congress—then overseeing the American army—as a Major General. Unlike Hamilton, he was quickly received with warmth and deference due to his patriotism, strong connections with the French military and aristocracy, and his willingness to serve without pay.

The use of the term "immigrant" with respect to Lafayette is interesting, as he played a gigantic part in America's war effort but was not a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country. Many states even made Lafayette a citizen of their states, with Maryland going so far as to establish him and all his male descendants as natural born citizens.

Lafayette was a tactical wunderkind and his biggest selling point was his abilities as a kind of military Houdini. He pulled off one of the most daring escapes of the war outside Philadelphia in 1778 during the Battle of Barren Hill. He was viewed by many as fighting for selfless reasons (for liberty of others rather than for self-glory). When he came back from France during the war, morale was at a low point, and he was seen as a savior of sorts since he came through with supplies (i.e., French aid).

In the song "Aaron Burr, Sir," Marquis de Lafayette is portrayed as a hero who received a hero's welcome in all 24 states during the United States' 50th anniversary. The company's repeated exclamation of Lafayette's name also echoes Hamilton's, but with the three syllables rising in pitch rather than falling.

The song "Taking the horse by its reins" is an idiom taken from the fact that horse riders control their mount by manipulating its reins. When horses are spooked or misbehaving, it is important to get hold of their reins, as this helps the rider or groom limit their movement and get the situation under control. The American militia, that "ragtag volunteer army," was both troubled and unruly at the start of the Revolution. Marquis de Lafayette liaised with France to supply the army with vital equipment and convinced other friends of his from the French military, like Rochambeau, to come and lend their expertise and strength as well.

The British army was often referred to as the Redcoats, because of the color of their military coats or coatees. The particular iconic shade of the Revolution is called "madder red," which sounds pretty badass, although it is just because madder root was used to make the red dye. The British uniforms were also mocked by Revolutionaries for their red color because it made them stand out in just about every environment, like walking targets.

Lafayette is saying he will dye these red coats and the soldiers inside them, even staining the fabric with blood, i.e. killing them a whole heck of a lot. He was one of the most important commanders in America's Revolutionary War.

In the song, Lafayette spits out 19 words in an approximately 3 second span, making it the fastest set of lyrics in Broadway history. Daveed Diggs is a veteran of such mind-boggling pace, dealing out some seriously fast verses as an MC in clipping., his LA rap group. According to LMM's interview on Stephen Colbert, this line is also intended to show Lafayette's evolution from a weak English speaker in his first appearance in the show to this point, where his command of English language is the most powerful of anyone in the show.

In 1779, Lafayette left America for France to campaign against the British colony of Canada. Despite being anti-British, he pressed Washington to invade Canada, which was then a loyal British colony. However, Washington turned him down, and Lafayette spent his time in France attempting to engineer a British invasion with France's allies, the Spanish. In July, it seemed like Lafayette would get his wish, but everything could go wrong, so he returned to America. He returned with France's promise of 6000 soldiers and provisions, and John Laurens, who came back with more guns, ships, and money.

The American cause was popular in France, but Lafayette had to campaign hard to get official support from the French government. The Revolution would have almost certainly failed without Lafayette's campaigning and the eventual ground troops and naval power France lent to the Americans. Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau was commander-in-chief of the French forces sent to aid the American revolutionaries. In 1781, Washington's forces and Rochambeau's joined and abandoned a plan to attack New York, instead marching south to "consolidate" their force with the French Admiral de Grasse's fleet in Virginia to hem in Cornwallis and force the surrender of the British forces.

In actuality, Lafayette nominated his aide, Jean-Joseph Sourbader de Gimat, to lead the charge at Yorktown. Hamilton personally appealed to Washington for the command, and Lafayette was overruled. Gimat (and Laurens) served under Hamilton for the day.

The musical about Lafayette is about Hamilton, who was raised in Saint Croix by his mother, who was of French Hugenot descent. His fluency in French is unsurprising, as Danish was never spoken in large numbers there and had until 1733 been controlled by the French.

Lin-Manuel Miranda has spoken about the use of the word "ingenuitive" in his work, Hamilton: The Revolution. In the song, he describes it as an archaic conjugation of ingenuity, which he believes was there for him when he needed it. The pronunciation of this word sounds like "ami", the French word for "friend," emphasizing Hamilton's and Lafayette's camaraderie.

The line "Yeah, get ya right-hand man back" may be a nod to "Please Mr. Postman" by The Marvelettes, which contains the immortal line "Deliver de letter de sooner de better." Washington sings this verse in the style of "Alexander Hamilton," with some lines directly calling back to those in the opening number. The opening number is about history commenting on the legacy Hamilton left to it, setting the audience up for his next number, the directly legacy-focused "History Has Its Eyes On You."

Washington is once again reiterating how much he needs Hamilton. The emphasis on "tide" helps intensify the last four lines of the song and set the minor, eerie tone for the next song. The line "I have men who will take orders from you," but the submissive connotation of "yield" suggests much more.

This line calls back to the Continental army troops ready to yield to Hamilton's command from the previous line, but it reframes the context of "troops" and moves clearly into the other troops waiting in the field, the British troops who are unknowingly waiting to be defeated. Foreshadowing "One Last Time," Washington is just as concerned with "getting things right" as both Burr and Hamilton are. He's something of the happy medium between them, and so no wonder he comes off best of anyone in the show.

British surrender occurred on the morning of October 17th. The wording may be a reference to the line "by the dawn's early light" in the U.S. national anthem.

Key Imagery and Metaphors:

• "I'm takin' this horse by the reins, makin' redcoats redder with bloodstains" – This line underscores Lafayette's leadership on the battlefield and the brutal reality of war.
• "We rendezvous with Rochambeau, consolidate their gifts" – A reference to General Rochambeau, the French commander who played a key role in supporting the American forces.
• "Everyone give it up for America's favorite fightin' Frenchman!" – A celebratory nod to Lafayette’s contributions, recognizing him as an essential figure in the American Revolution.

Songs with Similar Themes

1. "Alexander Hamilton" from Hamilton: This opening number introduces Hamilton’s rise from an orphan to a revolutionary leader, paralleling Lafayette’s journey as an immigrant who plays a crucial role in the war.
2. "My Shot" from Hamilton: This song showcases Hamilton’s determination to prove himself and fight for America’s independence, echoing the ambition and urgency found in "Guns and Ships."
3. "Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)" from Hamilton: This song depicts the decisive battle of Yorktown, where Lafayette’s strategies and alliances, as highlighted in "Guns and Ships," lead to victory.

Questions and Answers

What role did Marquis de Lafayette play in the American Revolution?

Lafayette was a French aristocrat who volunteered to fight for the American cause, becoming a major general in the Continental Army. His ability to secure financial and military support from France was instrumental in securing American independence.

How does "Guns and Ships" reflect the themes of immigration?

The song presents Lafayette as an immigrant who makes a critical impact on America’s fight for independence, reinforcing the idea that immigrants have shaped the nation’s history.

Why is the rap delivery significant in "Guns and Ships"?

The rapid rap delivery reflects the urgency and high stakes of the war, emphasizing the fast-paced nature of Lafayette’s military strategies and the rapid developments of the revolution.

Awards and Chart Positions

• The Hamilton cast recording, which includes "Guns and Ships," reached number one on the Billboard Rap Albums chart.
• Won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2016.
• The song was certified Gold by the RIAA on January 9, 2019.

Fan and Media Reactions

"This is one of the fastest Broadway songs ever, and Daveed Diggs delivers it flawlessly. It’s an electrifying moment in the show."