One Last Time Lyrics – Hamilton

Song Overview

Song Credits

• Vocals: Christopher Jackson (George Washington) & Lin-Manuel Miranda (Alexander Hamilton)
• Producers: Bill Sherman, Black Thought, ?uestlove, Alex Lacamoire & Lin-Manuel Miranda
• Writer?/?Composer: Lin-Manuel Miranda
• Release Date: September 25 2015
• Genre: Gospel-soaked Pop-Rap Show-tune
• Core Instruments: Warm Rhodes piano, finger-snap percussion, silky strings, gospel choir layers, clean electric guitar
• Label: Atlantic Records & Hamilton Uptown LLC
• Mood: Reflective, statesmanlike, quietly triumphant
• Length: 4 min 37 s
• Recording Studio: Avatar Studios, NYC
• Copyright © ?: 2015 Hamilton Uptown LLC?/?Atlantic Recording Corp.

Song Meaning and Annotations

One Last Time pivots Hamilton from Cabinet quarrels toward bittersweet closure. George Washington decides to retire after two terms, enlisting Alexander Hamilton to craft the Farewell Address. The melody marries stately R&B grooves to Broadway uplift; think Donny Hathaway shaking hands with Aaron Copland. A gospel back-row hum underscores Washington’s scripture-tinged musings—“under their own vine and fig tree”—while Hamilton’s rap cadences keep the parchment ink wet.

The song text is built on three emotional pillars. First, Hamilton’s disbelief—he fires rapid questions, convinced Jefferson’s resignation must be punished. Second, Washington’s patient mentoring—he hushes Hamilton with “Talk less,” flips his protégé’s own mantra against him, and sketches civil-servant humility. Finally, a spoken-word duet lifts phrases directly from the actual 1796 Farewell Address. Miranda fuses oratory and melody, allowing democracy’s instruction manual to slip seamlessly into song.

Musically the arrangement swells like a Sunday-morning choir: gentle Rhodes chords, brushed drums, and a satin string pad that blooms when Washington resolves, “If I say goodbye, the nation learns to move on.” When Hamilton echoes the prose over Washington’s sung line, the track achieves call-and-response nirvana—president and protégé finishing each other’s civic sentences.

Key Lyric Pivot

“History has its eyes on you.”

Washington passes his thesis statement to Hamilton—and, by extension, to every future leader—reminding them reputation lives longer than office.

Similar Songs

1. “Never Going Back Again” – Stevie Wonder
   Wonder’s gospel-sprinkled farewell to public life parallels Washington’s graceful exit. Both songs lean on Rhodes warmth, choir accents, and sweet resignation.
2. “My Shot (Reprise)” – Hamilton Cast
   Bookends: one declares ambition, the other models relinquishment. Listening back-to-back frames the arc of Hamilton’s mentorship under Washington.
3. “Ordinary People” – John Legend
   Legend’s piano-gospel ballad shares the same mellow backbone and conversational vocal slides, proving that heartfelt counsel can ride a slow-jam groove.

Questions and Answers

Is Washington’s quoted text authentic?

Yes. The spoken-sung passage lifts verbatim lines from the 1796 Farewell Address—just trimmed for rhythm.

Why the gospel flavor?

Gospel signifies benediction. Washington’s retirement is framed as a blessing over a young republic.

Did Hamilton actually draft the address?

Historically, yes—Washington supplied notes; Hamilton shaped the prose, polishing America’s first viral op-ed.

What’s the “Yes We Can” reference?

Miranda borrowed the technique of layering sung phrases over spoken political speech from will.i.am’s 2008 Obama remix.

Key signature and tempo?

G-major with gospel-blue inflections; a laid-back 84 BPM sway—perfect for a farewell toast.

Awards and Chart Positions

• Certified Gold by the RIAA on May 10 2019.

Fan and Media Reactions

Comment sections glow with graduation caps and retirement emojis—listeners adopt Washington’s wisdom for every farewell party imaginable.

“Christopher Jackson’s falsetto on ‘One last time’ is pure vitamin D for the soul.” —ChoirKid2020

“Miranda sneaks politics into a slow jam and I’m out here ugly-crying.” —PolicyTears

“Used this at my dad’s send-off; no dry eyes, even from the cousins who pretend they hate musicals.” —FamilyFilibuster

“The vine-and-fig-tree line hits harder every election cycle.” —CivicScribe

“Proof that the best power move is knowing when to bow out.” —GracefulExitGuru