Archive of Our Own

In the years since Crowley had invited him to see Hamilton, the musical had stuck with Aziraphale. Despite his complaints about modern music, the angel could appreciate clever lyrics and lively rhythm.

When he had served as Supreme Archangel, Aziraphale would occupy his mind during otherwise yawn-inducing meetings by rehearsing the musical’s songs in his head. He would idly wonder whether God might be persuaded to let Heaven replace some of their ubiquitous recordings of The Sound of Music with Hamilton, but he never got a chance to bring up the subject with Her. Maybe someday.

In the meantime, he and his dear Crowley were back together. In heart-to-heart talks, they had both vowed to never take each other for granted again. They couldn’t celebrate every anniversary of meaningful dates throughout their millennia together–that would mean multiple celebrations every day and they’d never get anything else done!–but sometimes they would pick an occasion from the past and commemorate it with dinner or a gift.

For their anniversary of seeing Hamilton together in New York City, Aziraphale decided to write a song for Crowley in the style of the song “Alexander Hamilton.” Like a good opening number, it would give the protagonist’s back story, laud his extraordinary traits, and create suspense by anticipating an adventure. All while maintaining those syncopated internal rhymes! There were oodles of them. Well, Aziraphale hadn’t read (almost) all of humanity’s literature for nothing. He could pen a verse or two.

Aziraphale sat down to write.

Crowley, Maker of the Stars

What does a fallen angel do when they change all about him
doubt him, make heaven a place without him, rout him, exiled, his shouts dim
Six thousand years pass by, my dear
He’s in the zone–he stops time and saves the world that is our home

For his freedom, the smart demon fights his own demons
He’s interceding by striving to just be him, clear-eyed about his reasons
steadfast through all the seasons
By 1020, angel and demon are fully teaming

And eons passed so fast, he was inventive and tempted with sass
He was first-class, innovative, forward-thinking
Inside, he knew he was destined for greater meaning
He waited for a Sign and almost stopped believing

Then the Antichrist came and changed up the whole game
The demon saw the world in trouble, about to break
From the start he’d been a party to humanity’s biggest stakes
I guarded the Eastern Gate–I was part of the same fate.

I remember when you transformed from a wiley snake, dear
sheltered you with my wing from the sharp sting of the rain, dear
It’s who you are and where you’re at, not just from whence you came
At the Wall, I asked you your name
What’s your name, dear

Crawly, and I made the stars
Then later, Crowley, and I made the stars
There’s starlight still to journey from afar
Just you wait, just you wait

In Scotland Crowley helped Elspeth evade Death, gave her hope
Hell pulled him down to punish him and I could barely cope
I feared him tortured by that lot or burned hotter
And Crowley came back but asked for Holy Water

He rescued me in ‘41, faced the threat of Hell again
For him I used my acumen, I would not let them win
When the Plan said, Crowley, deliver the Antichrist
I’m honored that he sought me to plot.
The world would not pay the price.

Raised the child as Nanny Ashtoreth, whom I most adoreth
Wrong child–but there was nothing for it–we were a team and that was worth it
Scrambled faster, Hastur and Ligur came to get him
He escaped, hoped Hell was busy enough to forget him

The shop’s on fire, another priceless book he saves
Says “Wot’s going on? The M25’s ablaze!”
The Bentley speeds him to Tadfield, faithful car
At world’s end, you can make a new start

At world’s end, you can make a new start (just you wait)
At world’s end, you can make a new start (just you wait)
At world’s end, you can make a new start
At world’s end (at world’s end, just you wait)

Crowley, Maker of the Stars
I will always raise my wings for you (raise my wings for you)
You could never back down, you ask questions time after time
Oh, Crowley, Serpent of Eden
When the world sings for you
Will they know what you overcame?
Will they know you rewrote the game?
The world will never be the same, oh
The Second Coming is afoot, neither side will forfeit
He’s often overlooked–will Crowley try to thwart it
To save the world again, the part he’ll play will be important

We fought with him (Furfur, Shax, Beelzebub, Eric)
Me? I fell with him (Lucifer)
Me? I trusted him (Muriel)
Me? I loved him (Aziraphale)
And me? I'm the damn fool that double-dealed him (Metatron)

There's a million stars you haven't seen
yet, just you wait
What's your name, dear?
Crowley, Maker of the Stars

Aziraphale finished, his chest tight with pride. Writing the lyrics had made him fall in love with the demon all over again. Crowley could be so unassuming, but he really was a marvel. Aziraphale wondered if the demon would be flustered by this gift. He hoped so. He rolled up the scroll.