Ten Duel Commandments
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton, Anthony Ramos, Jon Rua, Leslie Odom, Jr.
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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 doin’ this Number nine Look ‘em 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
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Written by: Christopher E. Martin, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Khary Kimani Turner
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Musical Influence"Ten Duel Commandments" is from the musical "Hamilton", an incredibly successful show that has garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, created by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
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Historical ContextThe song depicts the lead up to the historic duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. In reality, this political and personal rivalry led to Hamilton's death.
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Reggae InfluenceThe song takes inspiration from The Notorious B.I.G's song "Ten Crack Commandments", reinventing and expanding it with a reggae beat and a historical context.
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PurposeThe song introduces the audience to the rules of dueling, which were prevalent in the era in which "Hamilton" is set.
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Duel RulesThe laws instated governing duels during that era are personified in the song, with each commandment presenting a new rule.
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Significance of the DuelThe Hamilton-Burr duel, which is the focus of the song, was one of the most infamous and influential moments in U.S. political history, marking the downfall of Aaron Burr's career and the end of Hamilton's life.
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Cultural Impact"Ten Duel Commandments" has permeated popular culture making appearances in commercials, T.V. shows and movies, parallel to how the entire "Hamilton" soundtrack has significantly influenced contemporary music.
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Musical StructureThe song is known for its unique structure and canonic style, where lyrics are layered over top of each other creating a rich and complex soundscape.
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Educational Slant"Ten Duel Commandments" provides a rare historical re-enactment of 18th and 19th-century duels. It acts as a vital history lesson through music, showcasing Miranda’s genius in making history accessible and entertaining.
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Charts and AwardsDespite not being released as a single, the popularity of the musical ensured that the song reached a wide audience. The "Hamilton" Original Broadway Cast Recording peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200, and won a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album in 2016.
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Citation
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"Ten Duel Commandments Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 4 Dec. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/32212228/Lin-Manuel+Miranda/Ten+Duel+Commandments>.
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