Sherman Edwards - But, Mr. Adams lyrics

John Adams: (All right, gentlemen, let's get on with it. Which of us will write our Declaration of Independence?) Benjamin Franklin: Mr. Adams, I say you should write it To your legal mind and brilliance we defer John Adams: 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 Benjamin Franklin: (Yes, I know.) John Adams: But I say you should write it, Franklin Yes, you Benjamin Franklin: Hell, no! John Adams: Yes, you, Dr. Franklin You! Benjamin Franklin: But- John Adams: You! Benjamin Franklin: But- John Adams: You! Benjamin Franklin: 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 Glee Club: Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Refuse to use the pen! John Adams: Mr. Sherman, I say you should write it You are never controversial, as it were Roger Sherman: (That is true.) John Adams: 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 Roger Sherman: (Yes, I do.) John Adams: Then I say you should write it, Roger Yes, you Roger Sherman: Good heavens, no! John Adams: Yes you, Roger Sherman You! Roger Sherman: But- John Adams: You! Roger Sherman: But- John Adams: You! Roger Sherman: 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 Glee Club: Connecticut, Connecticut A simple cobbler, he! John Adams: Mr. Livingston, maybe you should write it You have many friends and you're a diplomat Benjamin Franklin: (Oh, that word!) John Adams: Whereas if I'm the one to do it They'll run their quill pens through it Glee Club: He's obnoxious and disliked Did you know that? Robert Livingston: (I hadn't heard.) John Adams: So I say you should write it, Robert Yes, you! Robert Livingston: (Not me, Johnny.) John Adams: Yes, you, Robert Livingston You! Robert Livingston: But- John Adams: You! Robert Livingston: But- John Adams: You! Robert Livingston: But... Mr. Adams, dear Mr. Adams I've been presented with a new son by the noble stork So I am going to celebrate and pop the cork With all the Livingstons together back in old New York Glee Club: New York, New York Livingston's going to pop a cork! John Adams: (Well, Mr. Jefferson?) Thomas Jefferson: Mr. Adams, leave me alone! John Adams: (Mr. Jefferson!) Thomas Jefferson: (Mr. Adams, I have not seen my wife for the past six months. I beg of you, Mr. Adams-) John 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 thirty-three years, you have a happy talent of composition and a remarkable felicity of expression. Now, then, sir. Will you a patriot or a lover?) Thomas Jefferson: (A lover.) John Adams: No! Thomas Jefferson: But, I burn, Mr. A! John Adams: So do I, Mr. J! Thomas Jefferson: (You?) Roger Sherman: (You do?) Benjamin Franklin: (John!) Robert Livingston: (Who'd have thought it?) John Adams: Mr. Jefferson Dear Mr. Jefferson I'm only forty-one I still have my virility And I can romp through Cupid's grove with great agility But life is more than s**ual combustibility! Glee Club: Bustibility! Bustibility! Combustabil- John Adams: (QUIET!) Thomas Jefferson: 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 Glee Club: Lovely bride! Thomas Jefferson: Oh, Mr. Adams You are driving me To homicide! Glee Club: Homicide! Homicide! We may see murder yet!