Avatar: Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story

This video was inspired by EmptyFeet’s Zuko video with “Wait for It.” I had been wanting to make a video with a Hamilton song since I first listened to the album, and that video made me want to make one even more. Hamilton is my most recent obsession, and Avatar is my lifelong obsession, so here we are.

For those not familiar with the musical, “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story” is the final song and takes place after the death of Alexander Hamilton. Eliza, who is featured in the song, was his wife. Here, Aang is Alexander, and Katara is Eliza. Katara outlives Aang and works to uphold his story as well as her own, while missing him dearly.

The making of this video gave me emotions.

Also, the song/musical have Important Words, some of which (story, time, enough) are emphasized in the video.

Song (with a part of it cut): “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story”
By: Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton

Lyrics:
[WASHINGTON]
Let me tell you what I wish I’d known
When I was young and dreamed of glory
You have no control:
[WASHINGTON AND COMPANY]
Who lives
Who dies
Who tells your story?
[ANGELICA]
Every other founding father story gets told
Every other founding father gets to grow old
[BURR]
But when you’re gone, who remembers your name?
Who keeps your flame?
[BURR AND MEN]
Who tells your story?

Who tells your story?

[ANGELICA AND WOMEN]
Who tells your story?
Your story?

[WOMEN]
Eliza
[ELIZA]
I put myself back in the narrative
[WOMEN]
Eliza
[ELIZA]
I stop wasting time on tears
I live another fifty years
It’s not enough
[COMPANY]
Eliza
[ELIZA]
I interview every soldier who fought by your side
[MULLIGAN/LAFAYETTE/LAURENS]
She tells our story
[ELIZA]
I try to make sense of your thousands of pages of writings
You really do write like you’re running out of—
[ELIZA AND COMPANY]
Time
[ELIZA]
I rely on—
[ELIZA AND ANGELICA]
Angelica
[ELIZA]
While she’s alive—
[ELIZA AND ANGELICA]
We tell your story
[ELIZA]
She is buried in Trinity Church
[ELIZA AND ANGELICA]
Near you
[ELIZA]
When I needed her most, she was right on—
[ELIZA AND COMPANY]
Time
[ELIZA]
And I’m still not through
I ask myself, “What would you do if you had more—”
[ELIZA AND COMPANY]
Time
[ELIZA]
The Lord, in his kindness
He gives me what you always wanted
He gives me more—
[ELIZA AND COMPANY]
Time
[ELIZA]
I raise funds in D.C. for the Washington Monument
[WASHINGTON]
She tells my story
[ELIZA]
I speak out against slavery
You could have done so much more if you only had—
[ELIZA AND COMPANY]
Time
[ELIZA]
And when my time is up, have I done enough?
[ELIZA]
Will they tell our story?
[COMPANY]
Will they tell your story?

[ELIZA]
Oh. Can I show you what I’m proudest of?
[COMPANY]
The orphanage
[ELIZA]
I established the first private orphanage in New York City
[COMPANY]
The orphanage
[ELIZA]
I help to raise hundreds of children
I get to see them growing up
[COMPANY]
The orphanage
[ELIZA]
In their eyes I see you, Alexander
I see you every—
[ELIZA AND COMPANY]
Time
[ELIZA]
And when my time is up
Have I done enough?
Will they tell my story?

[COMPANY]
Will they tell your story?

[ELIZA]
Oh, I can’t wait to see you again
It’s only a matter of—
[ELIZA AND COMPANY]
Time
[COMPANY]
Will they tell your story?

Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?

Will they tell your story?

Who lives, who dies—

[COMPANY]
Time…

Time…

Time…

[FULL COMPANY]
Who tells your story?

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