Hamilton: An American Musical - Ten Duel Commandments Lyrics

[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!