Ten Duel Commandments
Hamilton: An American Musical
[Men]
One, two, three, four
[Full Company]
Five, six, seven, eight, nine
[Burr Hamilton Laurens Lee]
It's the Ten Duel Commandments
[Full Company]
It's the Ten Duel Commandments
Number one!
[Laurens]
The challenge: demand satisfaction
If they apologize
No need for further action
[Company]
Number two!
[Laurens]
If they don't, grab a friend
That's your second
[Hamilton]
Your lieutenant when there's reckoning to be reckoned
[Company]
Number three!
[Lee]
Have your seconds meet face to face
[Burr]
Negotiate a peace
[Hamilton]
Or negotiate a time and place
[Burr]
This is commonplace, 'specially 'tween recruits
[Company]
Most disputes die, and no one shoots
Number four!
[Laurens]
If they don't reach a peace, that's alright
Time to get some pistols and a doctor on site
[Hamilton]
You pay him in advance, you treat him with civility
[Burr]
You have him turn around
So he can have deniability
[Company]
Five!
[Lee]
Duel before the sun is in the sky
[Company]
Pick a place to die where it's high and dry
Number six!
[Hamilton]
Leave a note for your next of kin
Tell 'em where you been
Pray that hell or heaven lets you in
[Company]
Seven!
[Lee]
Confess your sins
Ready for the moment of adrenaline
When you finally face your opponent
[Company]
Number eight!
[Laurens Lee Hamilton Burr]
Your last chance to negotiate
Send in your seconds
See if they can set the record straight
[Burr]
Alexander
[Hamilton]
Aaron Burr, sir
[Burr]
Can we agree that duels are dumb and Immature?
[Hamilton]
Sure
But your man has to answer for his words, Burr
[Burr]
With his life?
We both know that's absurd, sir
[Hamilton]
Hang on, how many men died
Because Lee was inexperienced and ruinous?
[Burr]
Okay, so we're doin' this
[Company]
Number nine!
[Hamilton]
Look 'em in the eye, aim no higher
Summon all the courage you require
Then count
[Men]
One two three four
[Full Company]
Five six seven eight nine
[Hamilton Burr]
Number
[Company]
Ten paces!
[Hamilton Burr]
Fire!