1776: But, Mr. Adams

All right, gentlemen, let's get on with it

Which of us will write our Declaration of Independence?

Mr. Adams, I say you should write it

To your legal mind and brilliance we defer

Is that so? Well, if I'm the one to do it

They'll run their quill pens through it

I'm obnoxious and disliked, you know that, sir

Yes I know

But I say you should write it, Franklin, yes, you

Hell no

Yes, you, Dr. Franklin, you

But, you, but, you, but

Mr. Adams, but, Mr. Adams

The things I write are only light extemporania

I won't put politics on paper, it's a mania

So I refuse to use the pen in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

Refuse to use the pen

Mr. Sherman, I say you should write it

You are never controversial, as it were

That is true

Whereas if I'm the one to do it

They'll run their quill pens through it

I'm obnoxious and disliked, you know that, sir

Yes, I do

Then I say you should write it, Roger, yes, you

Good heavens, no

Yes, you, Roger Sherman, you

But, you, but, you, but

Mr. Adams, but, Mr. Adams

I cannot write with any style or proper etiquette

I don't know a participle from a predicate

I am just a simple cobbler from Connecticut

Connecticut

Connecticut

A simple cobbler he

Mr. Livingston, maybe you should write it?

You have many friends and you're a diplomat

Oh, that word

Whereas if I'm the one to do it

They'll run their quill pens through it

He's obnoxious and disliked, did you know that?

I hadn't heard

So I say, you should write it, Robert, yes, you

Not me, Johnny

Yes, you, Robert Livingston, yes, you

But, you, but, you, but

Mr. Adams, dear Mr. Adams

I've been presented with a new son by the noble stork

So I am going home to celebrate and pop the cork

With all the Livingstons together back in old New York

New York

New York

Livingston's going to pop a cork

Well, Mr. Jefferson

Mr. Adams, leave me alone

Mr. Jefferson

Mr. Adams, I have not seen my wife for the past six months

I beg of you, Mr. Adams

And we solemnly declare that we will preserve our liberties

Being with one mind, resolve to die free men

Rather than to live slaves

Thomas Jefferson on the necessity of taking up arms, 1775, magnificent

You write ten times better than any man in congress

Including me

For a man of only 33 years, you have a happy talent of composition

And a remarkable felicity of expression

Now then, sir, will you be a patriot or a lover?

Lover

No

But I burn, Mr. A

So do I, Mr. J

You? You do? John? Who'd have thought it?

Mr. Jefferson, dear Mr. Jefferson

I'm only 41, I still have my virility

And I can romp through Cupid's grove with great agility

But life is more than sexual combustibility

Combustibility

Combustibility

Combustibil--

QUIET

Mr. Adams, damn you, Mr. Adams

You're obnoxious and disliked, that cannot be denied

Once again, you stand between me and my lovely bride

Oh, Mr. Adams, you are driving me to homicide

Homicide

Homicide

We may see murder yet