Lyrics Lin–Manuel Miranda – Ten Duel Commandments
Text:
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
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!
