Aaron Burr, Sir

"Aaron Burr, Sir" serves as a crucial introductory piece in Hamilton, establishing the fundamental ideological conflict between its two central characters, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. The song's core meaning lies in the stark contrast between Hamilton's impetuous, outspoken ambition and Burr's cautious, strategic silence. Hamilton, a poor immigrant orphan, is desperate to seize every opportunity and believes in loudly proclaiming his beliefs to shape his destiny. Burr, from a more privileged background, advises the exact opposite: "Talk less, smile more." This phrase becomes Burr's mantra, representing a political philosophy of ambiguity and waiting for the right moment, rather than creating it. The song effectively sets up the central tragedy of their relationship; Hamilton's inability to temper his speech ultimately leads to his fatal duel with Burr, while Burr's refusal to take a definitive stand leaves him, in the end, as the "villain in [the] history." Furthermore, the song introduces the revolutionary camaraderie of Laurens, Lafayette, and Mulligan, who represent the passionate, unified spirit of the revolution that Hamilton immediately embraces and from which Burr remains detached.

A young, ambitious Alexander Hamilton arrives in New York City in 1776, eager to make a name for himself. He seeks out Aaron Burr, a man whose quick graduation from Princeton has made him a subject of Hamilton's admiration. Hamilton, an orphan himself, finds common ground with Burr, who is also an orphan, and passionately expresses his desire for a war to prove their worth. Burr, however, is reserved and taken aback by Hamilton's unrestrained enthusiasm. He advises Hamilton to adopt a more cautious and enigmatic approach: "Talk less, smile more. Don't let them know what you're against or what you're for." This philosophy is completely foreign to the outspoken Hamilton, who cannot comprehend being so guarded.

Their conversation is interrupted by the boisterous arrival of three fellow revolutionaries: John Laurens, Marquis de Lafayette, and Hercules Mulligan. Each introduces himself with a flourish of rap, showcasing their revolutionary zeal and distinct personalities. Laurens is an abolitionist ready to fight the British, Lafayette is a French aristocrat eager to aid the American cause, and Mulligan is a tailor's apprentice turned spy. They are a vibrant, energetic trio united in their desire for revolution. They greet Burr, whom they know as the "prodigy of Princeton college," and ask him to contribute a verse, to share some of his knowledge. Burr declines, stating his intention to remain neutral and observe from the sidelines: "You spit. I'm 'a sit. We'll see where we land." His passivity is met with boos from the trio. When Laurens presses Burr on why he stalls when revolution is imminent, Hamilton interjects with a pointed and now-famous question that defines their entire relationship: "If you stand for nothing, Burr, what'll you fall for?" This bold challenge from the newcomer leaves a strong impression on Laurens, Lafayette, and Mulligan, who turn their attention to Hamilton, intrigued by this unknown, fiery young man and what he is capable of.

"Aaron Burr, Sir" was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda as part of his musical Hamilton. The musical itself was inspired by Ron Chernow's 2004 biography, Alexander Hamilton. Miranda first conceived of the project as a hip-hop concept album called The Hamilton Mixtape. The idea for the musical reportedly began while Miranda was on vacation in 2008. He was struck by Hamilton's life story, seeing it as a quintessential American narrative and akin to the rags-to-riches stories often found in hip-hop. The composition process for the musical spanned from 2008 to 2015. "Aaron Burr, Sir" functions as the second song, immediately following the opening number, and is pivotal in establishing the core relationship and central conflict of the show. The musical had its off-Broadway premiere at The Public Theater on February 17, 2015, before moving to the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway, opening on August 6, 2015. The Original Broadway Cast Recording, which includes this song, was released digitally on September 25, 2015, and won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

The rhyme scheme in "Aaron Burr, Sir" is complex and fluid, characteristic of modern hip-hop rather than traditional AABB song structures. Lin-Manuel Miranda utilizes a variety of rhyme types, including multi-syllabic rhymes ("accelerated course of study" / "buddy of yours"), internal rhymes ("Don't let them know what you're against or what you're for"), and identity rhymes where the rhyming syllable is the same ("Burr, sir"). This particular "Burr, sir" rhyme becomes a running motif throughout the musical. The rhythm is driven by a steady, insistent beat that underscores Hamilton's forward momentum. The lyrical rhythm, or flow, varies significantly between characters. Hamilton's delivery is rushed and dense with words, conveying his eagerness and overflowing thoughts. In contrast, Burr's rhythm is more deliberate and sparse, reflecting his calculated and reserved personality. The entrance of Laurens, Lafayette, and Mulligan introduces a more boisterous, varied rhythmic interplay, culminating in their unified chant, "To the revolution!" The tempo is upbeat and energetic, establishing the youthful fervor of the characters and the burgeoning revolutionary movement.

"Aaron Burr, Sir" masterfully blends the conventions of musical theatre with the stylistic elements of hip-hop. Musically, the song is built on a propulsive hip-hop beat, with characters delivering their lines through rhythmic, conversational rap. This contrasts with more traditional show tunes found elsewhere in the musical. The vocal delivery styles are distinct: Hamilton's rapping is fast-paced and eager, reflecting his personality, while Burr's is more measured and rhythmically straightforward, highlighting his cautious nature. The entrance of Laurens, Lafayette, and Mulligan introduces a multi-voice, high-energy rap cypher, a classic hip-hop trope that builds excitement. Lyrically, Miranda employs sophisticated literary techniques. The song is dense with internal rhymes, assonance, and alliteration (e.g., "blur, sir" / "bursar"). The pun on "bursar" is a prime example of Miranda's clever wordplay. The dialogue is sharp and character-driven, efficiently establishing the personalities and philosophies of five key characters in under three minutes. The use of a recurring rhyme scheme around "Burr, sir" ("sure, sir," "bursar") creates a memorable lyrical motif that reappears throughout the show.

As the second track of Hamilton, "Aaron Burr, Sir" is part of one of the most culturally significant musicals of the 21st century. The musical received widespread critical acclaim, winning 11 Tony Awards, a Grammy Award for the cast album, and the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The song itself is pivotal, as it introduces the central rivalry and key characters that drive the narrative. The phrase "Talk less, smile more" has entered the popular lexicon, often quoted in discussions about strategy, politics, and personal conduct. The song, along with the entire musical, has been praised for its innovative use of hip-hop to tell a historical story, making American history accessible and engaging for a new generation. The cast performed "Aaron Burr, Sir" at historic locations like Fraunces Tavern, further cementing the connection between the show and its real-life historical roots. The album achieved massive commercial success, reaching number 2 on the Billboard 200 chart and becoming the first cast album to ever top the Billboard Rap albums chart.

The central symbolic element in "Aaron Burr, Sir" is Burr's advice to "Talk less, smile more." This is not merely a piece of counsel but a symbolic representation of his entire life philosophy: opportunism through neutrality, survival through inscrutability. It stands in direct opposition to Hamilton's outspokenness, which symbolizes his relentless drive and belief in shaping the world through force of will and intellect. The act of Hamilton seeking out Burr symbolizes the former's yearning for guidance and a model for success, a search that is immediately disappointed, foreshadowing their divergent paths. Burr's refusal to "spit" a verse when invited by Laurens symbolizes his refusal to commit to the revolutionary cause, choosing to "sit" and observe. This establishes him as an outsider to the passionate, unified revolutionary spirit shared by Hamilton and his new friends. Hamilton's final question, "If you stand for nothing, Burr, what'll you fall for?" is a powerful metaphor for the moral and political vacuum at Burr's core, a theme that resonates throughout the entire musical.

The most significant recurring phrase introduced in this song, which becomes a central motif for the entire musical, is Aaron Burr's advice: "Talk less, smile more." This line encapsulates Burr's core philosophy of caution, ambiguity, and political survival. It is repeated and referenced in later songs, always highlighting the fundamental difference between his approach and Hamilton's. Another recurring musical and lyrical motif is the address itself, "Aaron Burr, Sir." The specific cadence and rhyme of this phrase reappear throughout the show, often in different contexts, serving as a constant reminder of the link and rivalry between the two men. Hamilton's final line to Burr in this song, "If you stand for nothing, Burr, what'll you fall for?", also acts as a thematic motif, resurfacing as the critical question that defines Burr's character arc and his ultimate downfall. Musically, the song establishes the chord progression associated with Burr, a simple, non-resolving sequence that reflects his tendency to wait and observe rather than act decisively.