Hamilton: An American Musical Hamilton: An American Musical - 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 Burr]
Number

[Company]
Ten paces!

[Hamilton Burr]
Fire!