Ten Duel Commandments

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