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This song is used to introduce the character of Richard Henry Lee while he states that he's going to achive Independence from the house of House of Burgesses. Franklin asked him to bring a purposal from Virginia, so that there would be a greater chance of delegates voting "yea" if someone (Adams) was not from New England.

Trivia[]

  • "The Lees of Old Virginia (Reprise)" takes place right after the initial song
  • The horse from the 1972 film was trained to bow during recording.
  • In the 2022 revival of 1776, the lyrics and choreography are yassified to picture the Lees mentioned by Richard as well as a reference to the Southern tune "Dixie."

Lyrics[]

Lee:
My name is Richard Henry Lee; Virginia is my home
My name is Richard Henry Lee; Virginia is my home
And my horses turn to glue if I can't deliver
Unto you a resolution on independency!

For I am FFV, the first family
In the sovereign colony of Virginia
Yes I am FFV, the oldest family
in the oldest colony in America
And may the British burn my land if I can't deliver
To your hand a resolution on independency!

You see it's here-a-Lee, there-a-Lee
And everywhere-a-Lee-a-Lee

Social-Lee, political-Lee, financial-Lee, natural-Lee
Internal-Lee, external-Lee, fraternal-Lee, eternal-Lee

The FFV, the first family
In the sovereign colony of Virginia
And may my wife refuse my bed if I can't deliver
As I said a resolution on independency

They say that God in heaven is everybody's God
I'll admit that God in heaven is everybody's God
But I tell you, John, with pride, God leans
A little on the side of the Lees, the Lees of old Virgina!

You see it's here-a-Lee, there-a-Lee
And everywhere-a-Lee-a-Lee
Here-a-Lee, there-a-Lee
And everywhere-a-Lee

Look out! There's Arthur Lee, Bobby Lee
And General Lighthorse Harry Lee
Willy Lee, Jesse Lee

Franklin:
And Richard H.!

Lee:
That's me!
And may my blood stop running blue if I can't deliver
Unto you a resolution on independency!

Yes sir, by God, it's here-a-Lee, there-a-Lee
Come on boys join in with me!
Here-a-Lee, there-a-Lee!

Franklin:
When do you leave?

Lee:
Immediate-Lee!
Here-a-Lee, there-a-Lee!

Franklin:
When will you return?

Lee:
Short-Lee!
Here-a-Lee, there-a-Lee!And I'll come back triumphant-Lee!
Here-a-Lee, there-a-Lee!
Everywhere a-Lee-a-Lee

Forward ho!

Lyrics: Lees of Old Virginia

Reprise[]

Lee:
–And our women are serene...

John:
Oh, good God!

Lee:
Full bosomed...1

Franklin:
Full bosomed?

Lee:
Full bosomed, Benjy,
Every one a queen! Why, they are...
–Lees! Dammit!
The Lees of old Virginia! Yes, sir! By God!

All:
It's here a Lee!
There a Lee!

Lee:
Come on, John,
Step live-a-Lee!

All:
Here a Lee!
There a Lee!
Everywhere a Lee–a Lee!

Footnotes[]

  1. Bosom is another term for a women's chest. 🤨

thumb|right|300px|The Lees of Old Virginia: movie soundtrack

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