George Washington recounts to Hamilton the story of his first command, and his fears that history will judge him harshly for his actions.
The song begins after Hamilton has been promoted by George Washington to a command position in the Continental Army.
Washington reveals his deep regret over this failure, his fear that history is both judging his actions and will hold him in contempt for his mistakes.
Hamilton is told that because of his increasingly important role in the events of the war, history will now be judging his actions in the same vein as Washington's.
The song has a different melody and chord progression than the original because Legend opted for a "more gospel" sound.