The Decemberists
Lin-Manuel Miranda & Black Thought & Joyner Lucas & Royce da 5'9"
“Weird Al” Yankovic
Ben Platt & Lin-Manuel Miranda
Lin-Manuel Miranda & Arianna Afsar & Julia Harriman & Lexi Lawson & Rachelle Ann Go & Shoba Narayan
The Regrettes
Mobb Deep
Andra Day
Ibeyi
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Zion & Lennox, De La Ghetto, Ivy Queen, Pj Sin Suela & Lucecita Benitez
Sara Bareilles
John Kander & Lin-Manuel Miranda
Christopher Jackson & Barack Obama & BeBe Winans
“Ben Franklin’s song” is an unused, first-person introduction to Ben Franklin in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical “Hamilton.” Franklin was originally a character in Hamilton but it never worked out so he was removed from the show.
The song consists of lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and music by The D...
[Verse 1]
Electricity! Yeah, you can all thank me
Took some lightning, a kite, and a fat brass key
And they're putting up streetlights in Gay Paris
You’re welcome from our young nation
I’m the only American the French wanna see
They call me a genius, I can’t disagree
They have guns, they have funds
They can set us free, invest in my reputation
[Chorus]
And do you know who the fuck I am?
Yeah, do you know who the fuck I am?
Do you know who the fuck I am?
I am Poor-Richard’s-Almanack-writing
Benjamin Fuckin’ Franklin
[Verse 2]
I said, early to bed, bitches, early to rise
They make a man healthy, wealthy, and wise
Soldiers are fighting for freedom, they have no supplies
So diplomacy happens at night
John Adams debates at the gates of Versailles
He whines and berates and awaits a reply
As I stay up late with a succulent breast or a thigh
Alright, diplomacy happens at night
[Chorus]
And do you know who the fuck I am?
Yeah, do you know who the fuck I am?
Do you know who the fuck I am?
I am 76-and-I’ll-Still-Kick-Your-Ass Fuckin’ Franklin
[Bridge]
One pain that lingers, the hitch in my stride
Is my son back at home who I could not guide
Who sits all alone in a prison cell on the wrong side
Stands against our young nation
So I play my ambassador part with pride
I am known in the world and the world is wide
To my children, my sins may be magnified
But I’d do it all again, no hesitation
[Chorus]
And do you know who the fuck I am?
Yeah, do you know who the fuck I am?
Do you know who the fuck I am?
I am Poor-Richard’s-Almanack-writing
Benjamin Fuckin’ Franklin
(Do you know who the fuck I am?) Who the fuck I am?
(Do you know who the fuck I am?) Who the fuck I am?
(Do you know who the fuck I am?)
I am Poor-Richard’s-Almanack-writing
Polymath, bifocal-wearing
Harp and glass-armonica-playing
Benjamin Fuckin’ Franklin
Ben Franklin’s Song was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda & The Decemberists.
Ben Franklin’s Song was produced by The Decemberists.
The Decemberists released Ben Franklin’s Song on Fri Dec 15 2017.
Lin-Manuel Miranda revealed the new monthly HAMILDROPS, with this song being the first:
Lin sent the never used lyrics to Decemberists member Colin Meloy, who described the process: