HAMILTON Ending *GASP* "Who Lives Who Dies Who Tells Your Story" | Musical Theatre Coach Reacts

Musical Theatre Coach Reacts to why Hamilton ended with a GASP from Eliza /Phillipa Soo. Marc Daniel Patrick explains his theories on the much debated ending of the hit musical.
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[@aimeeparrott9204]

The theory I like the best is that when Lin comes out at the end, he's Lin... not Alexander. And he's showing her that he told her story.

[@Jojo-up7wk]

YES THAT IS MY THOUGHTS

[@CaptainJackSparrowSavvy]

Agreed!

[@--Friend--]

YES

[@toga_uwu4249]

I love this theory but he’s come out multiple times saying this is false and that when he’s on stage he’s Alexander not himself.

[@docrobo360]

It does make sense because at this point in time of the song, Alexander is among those on stage who have died, however he is not wearing a white ensemble like the others who had gone before Eliza.

[@ChildofGod318]

I've heard people say that the gasp is Eliza dieing and seeing Alexander again. But because Eliza and Alexander meet and hold hands on stage before the gasp, I like to think that the gasp is Eliza looking down from heaven and seeing all the people hear the story of both her and Alexander. Its Eliza knowing what she did was enough. Its Eliza hearing and feeling all the stories that have been told in the theater. Its almost like she's experiencing it live with the audience and her gasp is the response that we should all have at the end of the show. Feeling the weight of the story being told and knowing it was enough.

[@NotMrDiego]

nah she was out of breath

[@natascha_mephisto]

I agree and think she realizes that there are hundreds of people who know their story and will keep telling it. Fun fact: the German version is out and really great (normally I hate such translations, but they did a good job with Hamilton. They also have the Gasp at the end, but it doesn’t quite fit. In German they say “wer lebt. Wer stirbt. Wer schreibt Geschichte“ (Who lives. Who dies. Who writes history) Because we have the same word for history and story. I hope they fix this somehow cause right now it doesn’t feel right that she gasps there. End of the rambling!

[@Happymali10]

@@natascha_mephisto I honestly dislike the translation, they should've run it in english.

[@natascha_mephisto]

Have you seen it?^^ I think they are different but they have each their own strengths. I mean „der Tod schrieb zwischen die Zeilen in mein Tagebuch“ is quit epic XD

[@kiratheusagiisworkshop5266]

I read somewhere that the gasp is a sign of Eliza seeing that she did enough and that their story is getting told still.

[@otdtyh]

Eliza: "Can I show you what I'm proudest of?" Me: 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

hahaha

[@ThehellgoingonBlog]

I’ve watched this a hundred times and I will never not lose it there

[@belladharma]

I love the little touch Chris Jackson added when she sang about speaking out against slavery. He furrows his brow, jerks his eyes to her, and bows his head in guilt, as Washington never did enough to denounce slavery. Such a powerful little glance, and was Chris’s acting choice, not a scripted one.

[@Jona-lt3px]

It fits the scene so well, I didn’t even know it was unscripted… it gives it so much more meaning to this scene…

[@renarico6309]

I agree! His touch not only added more depth to his character, but also referneced his historically accurate background as well. Especially since Washington owned slaves himself and never released them after his death.

[@jeanninebello9415]

I think that gasp at the end is Eliza realizing that not only did she get to tell Alexander’s story but she told her own as well. I’ve watched the other versions of this number but I think Phillipa has the best, most emotional gasp. For some reason, her gasp seems the most genuine. Also the way her voice gains strength and confidence as the song goes on. And by the time she gets to the orphanage, I’m a hot mess. She is such an amazing performer to evoke those feelings.

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

soooo well said

[@jillsalkin7389]

Her gasp is breathtaking for US!

[@shanigribben9158]

It's even more heartbreaking when you realise she lost her father only a few months after she lost Alexander. She outlived all but 1 of her many siblings and all but 1 of her 7 children. Also, that moment that you realise that Eliza Hamilton had a longer life than Queen Elizabeth 2

[@MichaelClarkson84]

I believe the gasp is Eliza realising that Her story got told by Lin on Broadway and loved by millions. Lin Leads her into the spotlight and she sees the crowd and the theater. Almost as if she passed through time to the present day onto the stage to meet the people who paid to see the story told

[@user-hu4mm6xk8r]

Exactly

[@debbihobson6954]

As soon as Phillipa starts singing i start crying. She’s just a perfectly brilliant performer.

[@skrilix5738]

Jefferson and Madison aren't commenting on their characters. I thought so too, but they were actually commenting on Hamilton's deeds. Telling his story, if you will. Them saying their names is just introduction. I deduced this because Jefferson never implemented a financial system, but Alexander did.

[@DaffodilDaffy]

Thank you I was just about to comment this!

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

Omg thank you for the explanation. It always bothered me, but that makes so much more sense now

[@Loulizabeth]

Yes especially with Jefferson. Both his tone and that final sentence of "And Believe me, I tried" it's like in trying to fight it he finally came to believe Hamilton was right about it.

[@zbare-tech]

This makes even more sense when you realize that the actor playing Jefferson also played Lafayette and the actor for Madison also played Hercules Mulligan. So by introducing them by name they are removing any confusion of which character is speaking.

[@lizzit917]

As a prior Graham Windham kid once upon a time, I personally love this song the most. She mentions us, sort of. Her orphanage still exists, in a form and under a different name, but its still the place that Eliza Hamilton began. Over the years, the organization has changed names, but what was once The New York Foundling eventually became GW. I don't know the details, but I do know that LMM made sure the kids who are with the agency now are not forgotten, and Hamilton has been involved with GW for years.

[@ellageary8090]

It's almost like a wake where everyone tells stories about their relationship with the deceased.

[@itzel1735]

Right. I don’t think Jefferson and Madison are breaking the 4th wall with the audience at the musical, it’s like rueful remembrances at a wake. Sharing something with the other mourners, and maybe getting a laugh of understanding.

[@pingidjit]

Ooh I like that theory too!

[@perrydianaj83]

So many amazing moments in this song. The orphanage line makes me cry every single time. And something I never noticed until Chris Jackson said it in an interview. When Washington steps forward when she sings about the Washington monument, as he's stepping back and she sings about slavery, he hangs his head as a nod to his failure to do anything about slavery.

[@juliemacdonald6572]

Yes I’ve noticed other Washington’s don’t do that, but I just love the way he plays it, the pride, then the fall.

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

Interesting that others playing the role havent taken that que from him

[@juliemacdonald6572]

@@MarcDanielPatrick it’s one of many reasons he remains my favourite in that role, as he seems to become the role rather than just play it. That look of pride when he sing “she tells my story” rapidly replaced by a horror of realisation that he could have done more, then shame, with the bow and step away, to portray three differently emotions so rapidly and fluidly. Plus of course that voice.

[@nicolekerr4726]

I read in an interview- that Lin said it is a moment that each Eliza only knows, and each Eliza will have a different perspective on the gasp and what it means to them

[@eejhj85]

This part makes me cry every time. It's a powerful moment. Most stories end in a contained way, but the gasp is unique as it breaks the fourth wall, and leaves a bigger impact on the audience. I personally think there is more than one answer to her gasp. Just as art is subjective, I think it's up to the individual to ponder the meaning of the moment. For me, the gasp is her spirit seeing the impact of both her and Alexander's legacy finally being recognized and their stories being told. She bridges the historical to the present with this moment. And what a powerful moment it is.

[@Flushot22]

You don't even need the gasp to figure out what's going on. Look at the way she looks at Lin when their eyes meet again. She sees at him as a stranger, not as Alexander. She hesitates taking his hand when offered. She isn't overjoyed to finally see him. That's because it's Lin silently introducing himself to Eliza and showing her that we are all still telling their story.... *GASP*

[@gabfann1126]

I like to interpret (Not that I claim I was the one who originally came up with this interpretation) that when Eliza sees Alexander again, she actually sees Lin-Manuel, seeing as she seems reassured but also seems slightly confused, he smiles at her warmly, handing out his hand and covering her up to say "You can rest easy now" and then leading her to the public to show that both her and Alexander's story has been told, thus explaining the emotional gasp.

[@allieren]

I’ve seen Hamilton idk how many times and I still have tears running down my face by the end. She does such an amazing job; her voice just breaks your heart. Edit: I have heard multiple theories about the gasp, and my favorite is that she is overwhelmed seeing the hundreds of people in the audience who are hearing the story. I notice as she steps into that light she kind of looks down at the orchestra curiously, then out at the audience. But that’s just my very out-of-practice musical theater kid interpretation 🙂

[@mikesteinkrauss9773]

Agree, I was absolutely bawling during that final song, and honestly still tear up and cry every time. Pipa is just so amazing

[@johannastromberg1224]

I agree with your interpretation

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

No theatre practice needed to have a beautiful theory such as that.

[@PageNumber687x]

with showing the three presidents and them talking about their legacy, i always took this to represent just how much more of a legacy hamilton could have left if he had somehow lived longer and become a president himself. the song IS about what legacies were left so i never saw this as weird. we collectively forgot about hamilton and his legacy as a founding father.

[@easterslice]

I think of those lines as Jefferson and Madison grudgingly acknowledging Hamiliton's contributions -- if the song stopped there, that would be all we would know about him. He's on the ten dollar bill because he did some weird finance thing. So, at that point they are the ones who are telling his story. But then Eliza comes back to to take control of the narrative. She reminds us of the major points, while also solidifying the legacies of his friends: his soldiers, and Washington. She goes through Alexander's writing to "try to makes sense" of it. She picks up Laurens' mantle and speaks against slavery, carrying on his legacy. And, finally, for her own sake, she cares for hundreds of orphans -- because every one of them could grow up to become another Hamilton. And, because of her, Alexander Hamilton's story is more than a couple of snippy assessments by his political enemies.

[@gillian927]

The way he sends her off before the gasp is beautiful. Love this show. Love your comments!

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

❤️🙏

[@pingidjit]

The part where the Presidents speak - I don't see it as them actually speaking. I see it as Burr 'quoting' them. He says "President Jefferson" then quotes him using the character. Followed by "President Maddison". It's used to show Hamiltons impact with these two after his death. But I don't think it's really them breaking the 4th wall.

[@pingidjit]

This song makes me cry every single time. It might not be the catchiest song from the musical, but it is by far my favourite for an ending and emotional impact.

[@pingidjit]

It's just so good!

[@rachaelaldis3332]

I've always interpreted the ending as not Alexander Hamilton walking with Eliza but Lin Manual bringing Eliza to present and seeing the audience listening to her story therefore resulting in the shocked gasp and answering her question as who tells her story

[@dwightschrute7594]

Not me watching this scene for the 100th time and still crying at Phillipa. Also, I highly recommend Shan Ako as Elizain Hamilton on the West End. She's amazing.

[@shawnaburgess]

Just now putting together the relationship between Burn and this song with the line ”who keeps your flame?” Earlier in the show, Eliza sings, ”I hope you burn”. I think a part of him did burn when she lit that flame and, after his flame went out, Eliza fanned those embers, kept that flame alive. Perhaps she gasps when she sees that in fanning that flame, she was illuminated and shone just as brightly.

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

so interesting. love this

[@strangethings7180]

I think final gasp is Eliza looking at the audience and thanking Lin and everyone for listening to her story. Seeing what the world has come to now… whether she’s happy or sad about it

[@stephenebrandt]

Rewatching after reading the comment I can now see that. It's like the fourth wall just came down and she can all of a sudden see the audience for the first time.

[@user-xr9xt2dw2v]

@@stephenebrandtyes!

[@mariabrooks8835]

I just recently finished My Dear Hamilton which is a novel about Eliza that’s based around what history is known of her.. and I gotta say, Eliza was amazing. While I know the book is dramatized, the picture it paints is how much Alexander was villainized after his death. Him supporting Jefferson in the presidential election was seen as an act against his own party to the point where much of the political sphere downplayed/erasedAlexander’s importance to the revolution and the constitution. Eliza spent so much time, effort, money, etc to rectify his legacy. I 100% think this play is more about her than it is about Hamilton… in the book, she even talks about herself as a “mother to the country” in contrast of all the founding fathers and their known stories. She did so much behind the scenes and Alexander could not have done it without her. Phillipa Soo is just amazing in this.

[@jamiejones6163]

I don’t have a theory on the gasp, but I just wanted to let you know, I have had a terrible week, feeling like hot garbage. But I come on here and I watch your videos and I always leave feeling so much better. I just wanted to say thank you. Today was particularly rough, and I came on KZbin to watch something entirely different, but I saw this video in my feed that I hadn’t seen before and had to watch it. And now I’m crying, but it’s a cathartic kind of crying. Thank you for helping me to feel better. I know I’m not the only one.

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

Means so much to me Jamie, I appreciate this. Heres to better days ahead.

[@Dee17050]

Thank you for continuing to revisit Hamilton! The show came to Denver twice and we were lucky to be able to see it both times. I'm rewatching it on Disney this week and it's still just magical. This scene always gets me and brings the tears. Every single time I watch it I have a different idea about what Eliza is seeing and feeling, but what I love is that she smiles after she gasps. All of her work and effort were worth it in the end.

[@paramitch]

I honestly never want definitive answers on the gasp. I love it so much, it's electric and powerful, and it hits me on a level beyond "this is what it means." It's just pure emotion -- grief, joy, everything we just felt in the show -- I feel like it's such an incredible and risky way to end the show. And it's perfect (and perfect for me as a mystery).

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

mmm fair enough. Well said

[@paramitch]

@@MarcDanielPatrick Thanks! I've so enjoyed your latest analyses. (As always!)

[@Maryliz425]

I love how the music and lyrics weave themselves through the entire show. Lin Manuel Miranda is amazing.

[@IamSnowbird]

Now you made me cry. I love Washington's reaction when Eliza says she fought against slavery. Chris is such a good actor. Eliza..."Will they tell my story". Yes, they just did. I have felt for a long time it was Eliza's story.

[@DuarteMolha]

The last gasp is the breaking ot the 4th wall like the singers before... The light goes up on the public and she (As Elisa) sees the public and realises they are retelling her story. This is why Lin Manuel pushes her forward like many do in theaters to put the spotlight on an actor for people to show their appreciation. In this case the actriz is acting like the conduit between the public and her character to let her know the story is about her

[@DuarteMolha]

Also... In another completely different viewpoint it could be her in heaven looking down and realising that you now have a moron Trump as president and gasping for air how their nation has fallen from its ideals of her husband.

[@jamesmcarter]

I believe that what Eliza is actually seeing, whether it be Hamilton in the afterlife, her children preserving their legacy, heaven, or the orphanage, is less important than the fact that she is seeing it. In this moment, I believe it’ s about transcendence.

[@3Rachelharper]

I think she saw the audience and knows her story is told. Ugh, I'm sobbing.

[@cynthiabauer7133]

I think the gasp is all encompassing. She sees the stories, she sees the people she loves. She is overcome with love, nostalgia, and the beauty of life.

[@PageNumber687x]

thanks for finally posting this! this is one of the two scenes i ALWAYS end up shedding a tear no matter how many times i've watched it. the other? eliza's part in stay alive reprise. god, she just has such raw emotion to give.

[@LJMurray]

I’ve always interpreted it as her seeing her afterlife, whether that means the beauty of the cosmos, the kingdom of god, whatever it is to you, or to her. That moment of awe. Because I think when she reunites with Alexander, he’s welcoming her and escorting her into the afterlife. So good! Love the Hamilton reviews 🙂

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

thanks for sharing your thoughts Jody!

[@jedi_connor3030]

7:05 I don't really see it as 'breaking character' or 'breaking the 4th wall' bc they're still in character while talking and it's with the ensemble singing 'who lives who dies who tells our story' so it is them giving their testimony for Alexander Hamilton, either at his funeral or to Eliza as she interviews ppl

[@aaronhanten6830]

I've heard a theory that the gasp at the end by Eliza is actually her seeing the audience and realizing that in the end, her and Alexander's story did get told.

[@lbelen87]

I like to think the gasp is her seeing the audience and realizing the story was still being told after they were gone.

[@lucinda2329]

I love the way Washington reacts when Eliza says she is still speaking out against slavery. You see Washington's regret that he didnt do more... I think the gasp is realizing that she HAS done enough as she sees her efforts reaching the future... ❤ ✿❧🌿❧✿ ❤

[@Kaytrinelise]

I had to rewatch that specific spot in the song. I never noticed that. This is such an amazing show!

[@GingerPrincessVlogs]

You need to see the GASP compellation video. Each girl has their own reason for the gasp and each do it so different. Phillipa does it the best as far as I'm concerned. I'd love to see what you thought of each one.

[@CreativaArtly]

Pippa is the new Cinderella for into the woods and I definitely recommend reacting to her singing on the steps of the palace. You’ll definitely be blown away.

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

THATS RIGHT! Omg, as if I forgot about that while making this vid 🤦‍♂️ Thank you for the reminder!

[@thepineyapple]

Jefferson and Madison weren’t talking about themselves they were talking about Hamilton. It’s basically saying look at the story they tell about Hamilton after he’s gone even now that he’s died even though they hated him.

[@charltonnorah964]

I agree. Jefferson and Madison was giving Hamilton credit. It has nothing to do about themselves.

[@if3359]

Yeah that's what I always thought, so I was confused about Marc's comment

[@thepineyapple]

@@if3359 who lives who dies who tells your story amirite lol

[@if3359]

@@thepineyapple 100

[@robertofont6069]

Marc, I don’t have much to say because you have said it all and no one does it better than you. That final gasp is so impactful and it brought it me to tears. For me that final gasp was her eventual/ final reminder that when she moves on to be with her husband and child, she will be remembered and that her story will be told. Yes, Eliza, you will be remembered. I don’t necessarily think it has to be her final breath but more of the realization that she had an impact. She made a difference and she was overwhelmed and consumed by all she had experienced and accomplished as Eliza and as Phillipa Soo in her brilliant performance in this production. Bravo, Marc! I love your classes!

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

So beautifully put, as always, Roberto

[@newnamewhodis7534]

I interpreted the Jefferson/Madison moments as them speaking at Hamilton’s funeral, not as breaking the 4th wall which is reserved for Burr throughout the show

[@johannastromberg1224]

Yesssss! I've been waiting for this video. Thank you!

[@dramahorse16]

My thought on the gasp is whenever the characters pass on if they come back on stage they leave their coat off but it’s the same costume. At the end Lin is in a black tux not a costume. I think the gasp is Lin himself greeting Eliza and saying “we heard you and we have told your story. Please let me show you” ❤

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

Love this

[@aznmochibunny]

Lin actually himself said he never breaks character on that stage, but that being said, doesn't mean that the other actors playing Alexander doesn't feel this way when they're on stage.

[@theresabooth9285]

thank you. this is the song I have been waiting for your reaction.

[@almogkest]

I always cry in this song.

[@matth408]

Finally 🎉 Been waiting a year for this! Thank you MDP

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

Haha whoops, my bad

[@doreenscudder734]

Pretty sure the reason LMM has Burr introduce Jefferson and Madison is bc they had dual roles and to some in the audience maybe it wouldn’t have been clear which character Diggs and Onaodowan were portraying in the moment.

[@happygrandma5637]

IMHO it seems to me that Presidents Jefferson and Madison were reflecting on Hamiltons legacy, not their own and not trying to break the 4th wall. I always thought that the gasp was like more of a tragedy that Hamilton died, and it was left to her to tell his story, and maybe a regret that she burned the letters. I don't see her looking at the audience or see the expression on her face as seeing Hamilton. It looks like anguish or regret. Is she wearing the same dress here that she wore when signing Burn?

[@danilou1983]

I feel by leading her to the front of the stage and then taking a step back, he (whether as Alexander or Lin or even both) is saying 'here, this your moment' and she is stepping into her light. The gasp is a stunning peace of theater as she take her moment as the leading lady - as an actress and as Eliza, as she is stunned that their story lives on, as she takes her last breath. 1 gasp, telling us so much, in one final moment. Just incredible. I can't wait to see it live. I'll be taking a few boxes of tissues 😂

[@nicksix563]

I’ve heard it said that the last few moments is Lin bringing Eliza Hamilton to present and showing her that she ultimately succeeded in telling his story. This theory made sense to me because whenever Lin takes Phillipa’s hand, there is no indication that the characters know each other (no extreme excitement to see each other or anything). Based on expressions, it’s almost like Lin knows who he’s meeting, and Eliza is a little perplexed by the situation until she sees the crowd and that she was a success in telling Alexander’s story.

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

Its a pretty popular theory for sure.

[@aznmochibunny]

Lin actually disproved this saying he himself never breaks character when he plays Alexander Hamilton, but that doesn't mean that's not true for the other actors.

[@petergroff79]

Loved all the theories. I can't wait for your breakdown of The 10 Duel Commandments.

[@curlmouse]

I had never heard this song before tonight. It’s just beautiful. I’m an absolute teary mess.

[@lillianfredriksson1890]

To me, her gasp is like the gasp people have at the end of their life. This incredible woman worked through tremendous grief and adversity and accomplished so much yet she carried this grief deep within and she is finally able to release it at the end of her life. I feel like she is actually transcending her physical body at this point and reuniting with Alexander. This last 3 minutes are absolutely profound and brilliant and make me cry every time. So touching. She is a brilliant artist. This entire cast magical and I can watch it over and over. Lin is a genius.

[@KKLT228]

Thanks so much for reacting to this! The gasp is different to me every time I watch or see Hamilton. The first time, it was her last breath. Then it was a sigh of relief and joy. Beautiful. It made me cry as usual.

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

its always a different moment that gets me emotional when I watch it back too.

[@ALMAPAGAN]

You're right her moments were impactful. And as a mother, I imagine that gasp was her being embraced by her loved ones like her son.

[@v2thekey921]

Her part she sings still gets me choked up. Just the emotion she puts in it. Its just so good. 🥰

[@pingidjit]

FInally!!! I have been waiting for this for so long!

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

whoops 🤦‍♂️

[@Synthexis_]

I have been waiting for this for so long

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

sorrrry

[@michellebush4556]

That gasp… so many theories, but it may just stay a mystery. This is prob weird, but Washington’s look of shame @9:57…. Why doesn’t Christopher Jackson have a Tony?

[@gwdindy]

To me, it is Lin breaking the fourth wall for her, and Eliza realizing it was her story all along.

[@chelseainman4285]

I think the gasp is her realizing the effect and ripple they had across so many. I don’t believe it was anything about herself based on the background she gave. We all think these “little” things we do don’t make an impact- I think that gasp was seeing and looking back on her “time” and realizing how much they really did impact

[@sc-ml8oj]

I love how you watch the video once fully then again with more detailed reactions/analysis! Would love to see you react to Ben Fankhauser (he was in Newsies on Broadway and the filmed version)

[@janestillman2265]

"Gasp" aside - from a music perspective, I LOVE that LMM took this complicated, motif entwined, genius musical and ended it with a unison E flat . It's powerful simplicity that perhaps tells us that in the end, it is just one person taking their last breath.

[@boborambles]

I also think this can be partly credited to author Ron Chernow, who wrote the book *Alexander Hamilton* which is what Lin-Manuel Miranda based his show on and just put into more perspective

[@isagacha1015]

i can’t listen to this song without crying omg😭

[@Happymali10]

The gasp isn't the only snippet left out of the recording, the death-scream about her child is also not in there, so it catches you off-guard.

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

True true, good point.

[@TheMasterOfDesigns]

Hey, Hamilton just premiered it's first non-english adaptation in Hamburg, Germany a few weeks ago and I'd love to see your reaction to the few clips that have been released from the press runs! Love your videos!

[@Mrs_Mama_MFT]

What’s so interesting is hearing there are theories about the last gasp. When you watch it you assume your interpretation is the only one. That’s the beauty of your reaction videos where you take us out of the natural emotion of the show and break things down. I thought, as she spoke to Hamilton she came to a point where her sadness that he isn’t there and didn’t get to see all that she did or experience with her…that last gasp is her being overcome with that grief.

[@Brianwright808]

Every. Dang. Time. Why am I always cutting onions during this number?!?

[@juliemacdonald6572]

I agree with others that it’s breaking the fourth wall. But I notice the lines continually prior to the gasp are “will they tell your story” then the final line who tells your story, and Alexander has brought her forward to see the audience and the gasp is the realisation (since she constantly says “have I done enough?” ) that she has done enough and she has told the story, no one else) it just seemed so perfect for that performance

[@MrsSuperman]

This song without fail always brings a tear to my eye every time I watch it!

[@bijoukaiba]

One thing I realized, coming back to this, is that the first song is "Alexander Hamilton" (so we all know who it's about), is mostly told through third-person, and does a quick runthrough of his life up until the Revolutionary War and the first few years of USA history... and the last song is about Eliza (Hamilton), is mostly told in first-person, and does a quick runthrough of the rest of her life.

[@strangethings7180]

I see this as Alexander changes back to Lin for when he comes back to her. It’s his way of saying thank you for your legacy

[@balesjo]

One of my favorite songs in the musical. Eliza Hamilton went on to have an interesting life after Alexander's death. I think I like it because it really speaks the truth about history, that how a person or an event is remembered is relative to those the survive to write down the story. In addition, how history is remembered tends to be from the point of the victor..

[@CreativaArtly]

And she also voice acted and sang in Over the Moon. Ultraluminary is the absolute bomb.

[@babsmasters8569]

Phillipa has said in an interview that it is her dying and seeing Alexander in the afterlife.

[@Rosannasfriend]

Great analysis.

[@thisiscoral]

My take on thomas jefferson and madison narrating their achievements is them claiming credit for alexander's work with the financials which they fought so harf against until it benefited them.

[@Rac2703]

I first interpreted it as Eliza looking out and actually seeing us as the audience “watching their story” as the song was just who tells your story. Not sure if the lighting cue has changed but when I saw it as soon as Elisa gasped the lights went black and only Eliza’s face was visible for a split second, it wasn’t a slow fade like this filmed version.

[@jaeanonymous2991]

I’ve seen it on KZbin when it first went on Broadway. Just remember the first time I saw it 😁

[@camilleheid2497]

Hi, I always saw the characters telling their own accomplishments as driving the point of "who tells your story". We don't control how we are remembered and to have the characters speak on their own behalf teaches us that how we live our lives may not be how our lives are told when we are no longer here.

[@ptvsupernatural]

this song never fails to make me sob

[@_LifeOfReilly]

I have a tattoo that is the Hamilton logo, but it's the Washington version. Which is the same logo, but wearing a minuteman's hat and holding a saber aloft. Surrounding the logo are the words: "Who lives, who dies, who tells your story". That line originates in the song "History Has Its Eyes On You", in which Washington tries to impress on Hamilton that his behavior has consequences. Weirdly, this song - which was hugely impactful to me - hasn't been addressed on your channel so far.

[@Rae8Anne]

I think it’s allowing Eliza to have a new passing now that her story has finally been told.

[@creepypastaagent3118]

that lin told her story

[@lr1565]

I feel the gasp contains many things: breaking the 4th wall, also the fact that she just told us her story, unlike the words of the song that someone else will. Also. The name Hamilton for the show has always meant to me the Hamilton Family (the three that we meet), not just Alexander.

[@MaggieHeartsU]

My favorite are shes seeing heaven and seeing lin telling her and Hamilton's story

[@theresaschuebel5151]

Oh did you know that there is a video here on KZbin that has deleted songs/sections of Hamilton. I saw that during my Burr rabbit hole slide

[@Sonotoddity]

I love the reaction of Washington in this song. "I raise funds in DC for the Washington Monument." "She tells my story.." "I speak out against slavery." The absolute look of guilt on his face is just chef's kiss. I really can't make it through this song with out a tear and Pippa's performance of it is my favorite by far.

[@jasminexxgrace]

i believe that the whole song is alexander watching them from above and him telling the story from hid perspective but in other voices. i just realized, my theory makes the smallest sense because it's focusing on his wife and her positive aspects, proving my senses.

[@antoniodennis1]

thats her dieing and seeing Alexander. He came to take her to the other side. He takes her hand and ushers her to the other side.

[@BoraViolin]

I remember staying up to watch this with my daughter on Disney when it was released (my daughter was lucky enough to go to College in NYC during Hamiltons original Broadway run and saw it before all the original cast left. Lucky girl because she stood out in the cold and never won the lottery at those Ham4Ham shows, but somehow got tickets lol) We were bawling by this point in the show so I agree it's an organic moment. I have a pressing request. Can you please react / analyze Shoshanna Beans performance of "No Good Deed" on the "Martha Stewart show"? There's an upload here on KZbin. Everyone always talks about "Defying Gravity" ,but for me "No Good Deed" is an underrated War Horse , and Shoshannas is just killer! Thank you in advance if you add it to your no doubt long list of requests!

[@MarcDanielPatrick]

Hmm I do like that request and I'll get to it I promise.

[@BoraViolin]

@@MarcDanielPatrick aww thank you for considering!! Looking forward to it!

[@jojoh8067]

Yep. Eliza’s Story. And Lin is a genius.

[@BK-is5fj]

Where can I watch the whole plays? This was the only place I could find them

[@patrickmichael2760]

Eliza, a tiny piece of your soul visited my soul with your gasp! Oh my!!