Ten Duel Commandments Songtext
von Lin‐Manuel Miranda

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine

It′s the ten duel commandments
It's the ten duel commandments

Number one!

The challenge: demand satisfaction
If they apologize, no need for further action

Number two!

If they don′t, grab a friend, that's your second
Your Lieutenant, when there's reckoning to be reckoned

Number three!

Have your seconds meet face to face
Negotiate a peace
Or negotiate a time and place

This is commonplace, specially ′tween recruits
Most disputes die and no one shoots

Number four!

If they don′t reach a peace, that's alright
Time to get some pistols and a doctor on site


You pay him in advance, you treat him with civility
You have him turn around, so he can have deniability

Five!

Duel before the sun is in the sky
Pick a place to die where it′s high and dry

Number six!

Leave a note for your next of kin
Tell 'em where you been
Pray that Hell or Heaven lets you in

Seven!

Confess your sins
Ready for the moment of adrenaline
When you finally face your opponent

Number eight!

Your last chance to negotiate
Send in your seconds
See if they can set the record straight

Alexander

Aaron Burr, sir

Can we agree that duels are dumb and immature?


Sure
But your man has to answer for his words, Burr

With his life?
We both know that′s absurd, sir

Hang on, how many men died because Lee was inexperienced and ruinous?

Okay, so we're doing this

Number nine!

Look him in the eye, aim no higher
Summon all the courage you require
Then count

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine
Number (Ten paces!) Fire!