1776: Cool, Considerate Men

The lyrics

Dickinson:
Oh say do you see what I see?
Congress sitting here in sweet serenity
I could cheer; the reason's clear
For the first time in a year Adams isn't here
And look, the sun is in the sky
A breeze is blowing by, and there's not a single fly
I sing hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna, hosanna
And it's cool
Come ye cool cool conservative men
The likes of which may never be seen again
We have land, cash in hand
Self-command, future planned
Fortune flies, society survives
In neatly ordered lives with well-endowered wives
We sing hosanna, hosanna
To our breeding and our banner
We are cool
Come ye cool cool considerate set
We'll dance together to the same minuet
To the right, ever to the right
Never to the left, forever to the right
May our creed be never to exceed
Regulated speed, no matter what the need
We sing hosanna, hosanna
Enblazoned on our banner
Is keep cool
What we do we do rationally
We never ever go off half-cocked, not we
Why begin till we know that we can win
And if we cannot win why bother to begin?
Rutledge:
We say this game's not of our choosing
Why should we risk losing?
All:
We are cool
To the right, ever to the right
Never to the left, forever to the right
We have gold, a market that will hold
Tradition that is old, a reluctance to be bold.
Dickinson:
I sing hosanna, hosanna
In a sane and lucid manner
We are cool
All:
Come ye cool cool considerate men
The likes of which may never be seen again
With our land, cash in hand
Self-command, future planned
And we'll hold to our gold
Tradition that is old, reluctant to be bold.
We say this game's not of our choosing
Why should we risk losing?
We cool, cool, cool
Cool, cool, cool
Cool cool men.

The context from Scene 3

As the argument between the delegates grows more heated, Dickinson launches into a long tirade against Adams and his supporters, calling him an agitator and a madman. Adams lashes back by accusing Dickinson and his fellow conservative "cool, considerate men" of hanging to the rear of every issue to see who will triumph; this results in a physical fight breaking out. Caesar Rodney of Delaware separates the two and berates them for not focusing on the real enemy: England. He collapses from the overexertion; he has cancer. Colonel McKean offers to take him back home. This leaves the Delaware delegation with only one man present, George Read, and he is not in favor of independence. Rutledge, seeing the majority swinging in his favor, moves for a vote on the question of independence. Franklin seeks to stall the motion, and asks that the resolution be read aloud again. As Thomson is reading it, the new New Jersey delegation arrives, led by Rev. John Witherspoon. He informs the Congress that they have been instructed to vote in favor of independence. The vote is now six for independence and six against (with New York's usual "courteous" abstention), and Adams reminds Hancock of his duty as President to break all ties. Seeing that the resolution might pass, Dickinson moves that any vote for independence must pass unanimously on the grounds that "no colony [may] be torn from its mother country without its own consent." His motion is seconded by Read, and the vote produces the same tie, which Hancock breaks by voting for unanimity. His reasoning is that without consent of all the colonies, any of them voting against independence would likely be forced to fight on England's side, and that the new nation would "carry as its emblem the mark of Cain."

1776: The Great Debate

Hancock calls for debate on the resolution, and Dickinson, for the 24th time, moves to indefinitely postpone the question of independence. Read seconds the motion and the Congress votes on Dickinson's motion. The vote goes down the line: Bartlett, Adams and Lee immediately cast their votes for debating the issue of independence, soon joined by Roger Sherman of Connecticut and two-thirds of the Delaware delegation. Lewis Morris of New York abstains "courteously". Dickinson unequivocally votes against debate. Samuel Chase of Maryland states that he would welcome independence if it were given, but does not believe the war can be won, and thus votes nay. Rutledge explains that he feels no need for immediate action, and casts his vote for nay as well, immediately parroted (as usual) by Joseph Hewes of North Carolina. When Thomson calls for Dr. Hall's vote, Hall explains that though he is personally for independence, his legislature is against it, and thus is unsure how to vote. But he prefers to err on the side of his constituency and votes nay, leaving the deciding vote to Stephen Hopkins who is "visiting the necessary". He returns in time to vote in favor of debate, stating that he'd "never seen, heard, nor smelled an issue that was so dangerous it couldn't be talked about." For his trouble, he gets his rum privileges back.

The most vocal of the delegates state their positions: Dickinson is against revolt and rebellion, but in favor of petitioning King George on their grievances. Adams and Franklin argue that the colonists have not been granted the full rights of Englishmen and that it is too late for reconciliation — a year has passed since the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Rutledge, meanwhile, is worried that the rights of the individual states would be subsumed by a strong federation and Chase questions the likelihood of an American victory over the awesome might of England.

As the argument between the delegates grows more heated, Dickinson launches into a long tirade against Adams and his supporters, calling him an agitator and a madman. Adams lashes back by accusing Dickinson and his fellow conservative "cool, considerate men" of hanging to the rear of every issue to see who will triumph; this results in a physical fight breaking out. Caesar Rodney of Delaware separates the two and berates them for not focusing on the real enemy: England. He collapses from the overexertion; he has cancer. Colonel McKean offers to take him back home. This leaves the Delaware delegation with only one man present, George Read, and he is not in favor of independence. Rutledge, seeing the majority swinging in his favor, moves for a vote on the question of independence. Franklin seeks to stall the motion, and asks that the resolution be read aloud again. As Thomson is reading it, the new New Jersey delegation arrives, led by Rev. John Witherspoon. He informs the Congress that they have been instructed to vote in favor of independence. The vote is now six for independence and six against (with New York's usual "courteous" abstention), and Adams reminds Hancock of his duty as President to break all ties. Seeing that the resolution might pass, Dickinson moves that any vote for independence must pass unanimously on the grounds that "no colony [may] be torn from its mother country without its own consent." His motion is seconded by Read, and the vote produces the same tie, which Hancock breaks by voting for unanimity. His reasoning is that without consent of all the colonies, any of them voting against independence would likely be forced to fight on England's side, and that the new nation would "carry as its emblem the mark of Cain."

Molasses To Rum

from 1776, song by Edward Rutledge:

Molasses to rum to slaves, oh what a beautiful waltz
You dance with us, we dance with you
Molasses and rum and slaves
Who sails the ships out of Boston
Ladened with bibles and rum?
Who drinks a toast to the Ivory Coast?
Hail Africa, the slavers have come
New England with bibles and rum
And its off with the rum and the bibles
Take on the slaves, clink, clink
Hail and farewell to the smell
Of the African coast
Molasses to rum to slaves
'Tisn't morals, 'tis money that saves
Shall we dance to the sound of the profitable pound
In molasses and rum and slaves
Who sails the ships out of Guinea
Ladened with bibles and slaves?
'Tis Boston can coast to the West Indies coast
Jamaica, we brung what ye craves
Antigua, Barbados, we brung bibles and slaves!
Molasses to rum to slaves
Who sail the ships back to Boston
Ladened with gold, see it gleam
Whose fortunes are made in the triangle trade
Hail slavery, the New England dream!
Mr. Adams, I give you a toast:
Hail Boston! Hail Charleston!
Who stinketh the most?

The background

Hancock is about to call for a vote on the Declaration, when Rutledge rises to object to Jefferson's denunciation of slavery in his list of redresses. Rutledge defends slavery as a way of life in South Carolina, and reminds Jefferson that he, too, is a slaveholder. Jefferson announces that he has decided to free his slaves, and Rutledge accuses the northern colonies of hypocrisy: the northern shippers may not own slaves, but they get rich off of the trade of slaves. He reminds them that the process of Molasses to Rum to slaves is ensuring prosperity for the North. The delegations of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia angrily leave the chamber, mindful of the unanimity required to pass the resolution. The resolve of the remaining delegates is broken, and they also leave.

John And Abigail From 1776: Compliments

Abigail:
Compliments of the Concord Ladies Coffee Club,
And the Sisterhood of the Truro Synagogue,
And the Friday Evening Baptist Sewing Circle,
And the Holy Christian Sisters of Saint Claire
All for you, John
I am as I ever was and ever shall be,
Yours, yours, yours!

John (speaking):
Abigail, what's in these kegs?

Abigail (singing):
Saltpeter, John!

John And Abigail From 1776: Yours, Yours, Yours

Yours, Yours, Yours
Abigail:
I live like a nun in a cloister
Solitary, celibate, I hate it

Adams:
I live like a monk in an abbey
Ditto, ditto, I hate it

Abigail:
Write to me with sentimental effusion
Let me revel in romantic illusion

Adams:
Do you still smell of vanilla and spring air?
And is my favorite lover's pillar still firm and fair?

Abigail:
What was there, John, still is there, John
Come soon as you can to my cloister
I've forgotten the feel of your hand

Adams:
Madam we shall walk in Cupid's Grove together

Both:
And we'll fondly survey
That promised land

Till then, till then
I am as I ever was and ever was
And ever shall be
Yours, yours, yours, yours, yours

Abigail:
Saltpeter, John

John And Abigail From 1776: Piddle, Twiddle And Resolve

Adams:

I do believe you've laid a curse on North America
A curse that we now here rehearse in Philadelphia
A second flood, a simple famine
Plagues of locusts everywhere
Or a cataclysmic earthquake
I'd accept with some despair
But, no, you sent us Congress.
Good God, sir, was that fair?
I say it with humility in Philadelphia
We're your responsibility in Philadephia
If you don't want to see us hanging
From some far-off British hill
If you don't want the voice of independency
Forever still
Then God, sir, get thee to it
For Congress never will
You see, we piddle, twiddle, and resolve
Not one damn thing do we solve
Piddle, twiddle, and resolve
Nothing's ever solved in
Foul, fetid, fuming, foggy, filthy
Philadephia!
They may sit here for years and years in Philadelphia.
These indecisive grenadiers of Philadelphia.
They can't agree on what is right and wrong
Or what is good or bad; I'm convinced
The only purpose this Congress ever had
Was to gather here specifically
To drive John Adams mad!

You see, we piddle, twiddle, and resolve
Not one damn thing do we solve
Piddle, twiddle, and resolve
Nothing's ever solved in
Foul, fetid, fuming, foggy, filthy
Philadephia!
Congress:
Someone oughta open up a window!
Adams:
Oh good God!
Abigail:
John, John, is that you carrying on, John?

Just tell the Congress to declare independency
Then sign your name, get out of there and
Hurry home to me
Our children all have dysentery
Little Tom keeps turning blue
Little Abbey has the measles
And I'm coming down with flu
They say we may get smallpox
Adams:
Madam, what else is new?
Abigail:
There's one thing every woman's missed in
Massachusetts Bay
Don't smirk at me, you egotist; pay
Heed to what I say
We've gone from Framingham to Boston
And we cannot find a pin
"Don't you know there's a war on?"
Say the tradesmen with a grin
Well, we will not make saltpeter
Until you send us pins!
Both:
Till then, till then
I am as I ever was and ever shall be
Yours, yours, yours, yours, yours
Adams:
Saltpeter, John
Abigail:
Pins, Abigail
Congress:
For God's sake, John, sit down

Sit Down John

from wikipedia

Although 1776 tells the story of what happened at the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1776 leading up to the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence, and it accurately portrays the serious personal and political issues at stake – frequently in the characters' own words, written by them at the time – it remains a musical comedy.
Scene One
May 8, 1776. Philadelphia. As the Second Continental Congress proceeds with its business, the weather becomes increasingly hot, humid, and unbearable. This leaves the delegates in no condition to hear from the despised Delegate from Massachusetts, John Adams, who charges into the chamber in a foul mood. Adams loudly remarks that he has come to the conclusion that "one useless man is a disgrace; that two are a law firm; and that three or more become a congress." None of his proposals on independence has even been given "the courtesy of open debate." The other delegates, sick of Adams' constant agitation, implore him to Sit Down, John. Adams complains that Congress has done nothing in the year and a half in which they've been convened but Piddle, Twiddle and Resolve. Angered at the latest debate regarding the merits of compensation regarding a dead mule, Adams flees the chamber and reads the latest missive from his loving wife Abigail, who, being in actuality far away at their home in Braintree, appears in his imagination. She urges him to take swift action with regards to independence so he may finish up his business and hurry home to her. He asks if she's complied in his request for the women of the area to make saltpeter for the war effort, and she responds by telling him that not only has he neglected to tell them how saltpeter is made, but that the women have no intention of doing so until they receive straight pins. Till Then, they pledge their love to each other and Abigail disappears. The delegates tell John Adams—again—to sit down, but instead he goes off in search of Dr. Benjamin Franklin.

The Vote

from wikipedia, this segment is from scene 3

As the argument between the delegates grows more heated, Dickinson launches into a long tirade against Adams and his supporters, calling him an agitator and a madman. Adams lashes back by accusing Dickinson and his fellow conservative "cool, considerate men" of hanging to the rear of every issue to see who will triumph; this results in a physical fight breaking out. Caesar Rodney of Delaware separates the two and berates them for not focusing on the real enemy: England. He collapses from the overexertion; he has cancer. Colonel McKean offers to take him back home. This leaves the Delaware delegation with only one man present, George Read, and he is not in favor of independence. Rutledge, seeing the majority swinging in his favor, moves for a vote on the question of independence. Franklin seeks to stall the motion, and asks that the resolution be read aloud again. As Thomson is reading it, the new New Jersey delegation arrives, led by Rev. John Witherspoon. He informs the Congress that they have been instructed to vote in favor of independence. The vote is now six for independence and six against (with New York's usual "courteous" abstention), and Adams reminds Hancock of his duty as President to break all ties. Seeing that the resolution might pass, Dickinson moves that any vote for independence must pass unanimously on the grounds that "no colony [may] be torn from its mother country without its own consent." His motion is seconded by Read, and the vote produces the same tie, which Hancock breaks by voting for unanimity. His reasoning is that without consent of all the colonies, any of them voting against independence would likely be forced to fight on England's side, and that the new nation would "carry as its emblem the mark of Cain."

The vote for independence is called again, and Adams, knowing that the vote will not be unanimous, calls for a postponement (much to the irritation of Thomson, who has now made four unsuccessful attempts to call the vote). He expresses the need for time for composing of some sort of declaration defining the reasons for independence. Franklin seconds Adams, but when asked point-blank why such a declaration should be written and what its point would be, Adams and Franklin are lost for words. Suddenly, a voice proclaims the reason: "to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent" — Thomas Jefferson has come to the rescue. The vote on postponement is called, producing yet another tie, with New York abstaining again (Morris explains that his delegation has never gotten any instructions on anything from the New York legislature because "they speak very fast and very loud and nobody listens to anybody else with the result that nothing ever gets done."). Hancock breaks the tie by voting in favor of postponement, choosing a committee of Adams, Franklin, Lee, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, and Robert Livingston of New York to draft the declaration. Hancock announces that it must be written, debated, and passed by the beginning of July — a mere three weeks away. Lee declines to serve on the declaration committee, having been elected Governor of Virginia, and Adams immediately suggests that Jefferson take Lee's place on the committee. Hancock agrees, almost as an afterthought, and adjourns the session over Jefferson's complaints that he must go home to his wife.

The Committee of Five argues about who should bear the responsibility for writing the declaration (But, Mr. Adams). Franklin suggests that Adams write it, but he declines, reminding Franklin that he is "obnoxious and disliked" and that anything he writes is bound to be rejected by the other delegates. Adams in turn suggests Franklin, as an accomplished writer, but Franklin argues that he is not a political writer, only a satirist. Adams turns to Sherman who claims that he's not a writer at all, but "a simple cobbler from Connecticut." Livingston is next to decline, as he must return to New York to celebrate the birth of his son. All eyes turn to Jefferson; Adams praises his writing and quotes a passage of Jefferson's Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms, bluntly telling Jefferson that he is the best writer in Congress. Jefferson still tries to wriggle out of the responsibility, pleading that he has not seen his wife in six months, and begs to be let out of the task of composing the declaration. Adams, however, is unmoved by Jefferson's arguments, as Adams also misses his own wife but he understands the need at the moment to serve the colonies, and thrusts a quill pen into Jefferson's hand. Jefferson, defeated, accepts the duty of drafting the document, though not before lambasting Adams on his way out.