Hamilton: A American Musical Lyrics

Ten Duel Commandments

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 and BURR:
Number

COMPANY:
Ten paces!

HAMILTON and BURR:
Fire!