Dear Theodosia
| "Dear Theodosia" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Leslie Odom Jr., Lin-Manuel Miranda, & the Cast of Hamilton | |
| from the album Hamilton | |
| Released | 2015 |
| Genre | Show tune |
| Length | 3:05 |
| Songwriter(s) | Lin-Manuel Miranda |
"Dear Theodosia" is a 3-minute song from Act 1 of the musical Hamilton, based on the life of Alexander Hamilton, which premiered on Broadway in 2015. Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote both the music and lyrics to the song. The song is sung by the character Aaron Burr, originally performed by Leslie Odom Jr. and Hamilton, originally performed by Miranda.
Synopsis
The song is sung by Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. They welcome their respective children, Theodosia and Philip, into the world. The men proclaim that they will fight to make the world better for their children. This is true, as they literally fight in wars to shape the future of a nation they will build for their children. They vow to give their children a better childhood than their own. The Hollywood Reporter acknowledges the coincidence reflected within the song, in which "two orphaned men...contemplate the rewards of fatherhood."[1] Vibe added that this "fatherly ballad...gives the dads a chance to reflect on their childhoods whilst contemplating how to be better with their own kids". [2]
Analysis
The "parenthood song"[3] has a lyrical reference to "Blow Us All Away", in the metaphorical sense of overwhelmingly impressing their parents by their future successes. However, The Huffington Post notes that this lyrical motif will reappear later on in the musical in a more literal context when young Phillip is literally blown away by a gun in a duel during the song "Blow Us All Away".[4] Theodosia Burr Alston was lost at sea during a hurricane off the coast of South Carolina in January 1812, lending a ghastly morbid humor to the song's title.
Critical reception
The Huffington Post wrote that "If John Legend covered this heartbreaker, I'm sure it would hit top ten."[4] The Hollywood Reporter deemed it a "heartbreaker", too.[1] Yahoo.com declared this the "track of the day" for January 3, 2016, due to a recommendation by a reader who said "I love the way this song tenderly expresses the humbling experience of parenthood shared by two men—both quite roughened to the ways of the world and otherwise vehemently opposed. The common ground of our humanity."[3]
Covers
"Dear Theodosia" also appears twice on The Hamilton Mixtape, first sung by Regina Spektor featuring Ben Folds, and another version sung by Chance the Rapper and Francis and the Lights. Spektor and Fold's version peaked at number 38 on the Hot Rock Songs chart.[5]
On December 30, 2018, a cut reprise of the song covered by Sara Bareilles was released as part of the "Hamildrop" project.
References
- ^ a b Rooney, David. "Why 'Hamilton' Counts as a Legitimate Game Changer" "Hollywood Reporter, August 31, 2015,
- ^ Woods, Monesha. "Going H.A.M.: A Track-By-Track Review Of The ‘Hamilton’ Soundtrack" vibe.com, October 20, 2015,
- ^ a b "Track of the Day: 'Dear Theodosia'" yahoo.com, January 23, 2016,
- ^ a b Logan, Elizabeth"I Have an Opinion on Every Song in 'Hamilton'" Huffington Post, October 1, 2015,
- ^ "Hot Rock Songs - December 24, 2016". Retrieved November 30, 2019.