Ten Duel Commandments

{{multiple image|total_width=300|image1=Charles Willson Peale - John Laurens - Google Art Project.jpg|image2=Charles Lee Esq'r. - Americanischer general-major.jpg|footer=John Laurens (left) and Charles Lee (right), who fought a non-fatal duel on 24 December 1778.{{cite web|url=https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-01-02-0687|title=Founders Online: Account of a Duel between Major General Charles Lee and Lieute …|author=|date=|website=Archives.gov|accessdate=May 4, 2017}}}}

The song recounts a duel which occurred between John Laurens and Charles Lee.{{cite web|url=https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-01-02-0687|title=Founders Online: Account of a Duel between Major General Charles Lee and Lieute …|author=|date=|website=Archives.gov|accessdate=May 4, 2017}} The duel took place as a result of disparaging remarks made by Lee about George Washington following Lee's dismissal from the role of Major General in the Continental Army in the wake of Lee's failure at the Battle of Monmouth.{{cite web|url=http://www.historynet.com/charles-lees-disgrace-at-the-battle-of-monmouth.htm|title=Charles Lee's Disgrace at the Battle of Monmouth - HistoryNet|author=|date=July 28, 2006|website=Historynet.com|accessdate=May 4, 2017}} The lyrics describe the typical process of a duel during the era in a manner modelled on the Ten Commandments. Laurens demands satisfaction from Lee. After Lee refuses, Laurens challenges him to a duel, and the two men recruit their respective seconds, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr,Lee was attended by Major Evan Edwards for the duel, but the relatively obscure figure was replaced with Burr in the show for dramatic effect. the relationship between whom is a central theme in the show. Before the duel begins, Hamilton and Burr make a final attempt to negotiate a resolution, in which Burr speaks out against the practice, whereas Hamilton insists that Lee answer for his remarks and conduct at Monmouth. The duel results in Laurens non-fatally shooting Lee in the side after Hamilton encourages him to "not throw away his shot", a motif in the show and expression of the time.{{Cite web|last=Miranda|first=Lin-Manuel|date=|title=Ten Duel Commandments Lyrics|url=https://genius.com/Anthony-ramos-lin-manuel-miranda-jon-rua-leslie-odom-jr-and-original-broadway-cast-of-hamilton-ten-duel-commandments-lyrics|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=14 July 2020|website=Genius.com}}

1. Demand satisfaction. No dueling is necessary if they apologize.
2. If they do not apologize, choose someone to act as your second, your lieutenant.
3. Have your seconds negotiate a resolution, or the location and date for the duel.
4. If a duel is settled, choose your weapons and have a doctor present.
5. Duel before dawn.
6. Write a note for your next of kin.
7. Confess your sins.
8. Once again, have your seconds attempt to negotiate peace.
9. Aim no higher than the dueler's eye.
10. Count ten paces, then fire.

In the song, Aaron Burr serves as Lee's second, while in real life that role was filled by major Evan Edwards.{{cite web|url=https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-01-02-0687|title=Founders Online: Account of a Duel between Major General Charles Lee and Lieute …|author=|date=|website=Archives.gov|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}

The eponymous ten commandments refer to the Ten Commandments of the Abrahamic faiths, which guide followers on how to live their lives. Miranda also stated that the concept of ten commandments stemmed from the "Ten Crack Commandments", which served as a guide to illegal acts during the 1990s, as well as being a song by the Notorious B.I.G.{{cite web|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2015/11/hamilton-lyrics-genius-lin-manuel-miranda|title=Read Lin-Manuel Miranda's Genius Annotations for Hamilton|first=Alex|last=Beggs|date=November 2, 2015|website=Vanityfair.com|accessdate=May 4, 2017}} This connection is acknowledged in the credits of the 2020 filmed version of Hamilton, which states that elements of "Ten Crack Commandments" are used with permission.

Elizabeth Logan, writing for Huffington Post, stated that the song has a key role in making the audience "comfortable with duels". This becomes important in Act 2 of the musical, where two duels occur in Weehawken, New Jersey. Thus, as per the author, the audience will be on board when "some beloved characters pick up pistols" later on in the musical.{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elizabeth-logan/i-have-an-opinion-on-ever_b_8223496.html|title=I Have an Opinion on Every Song in "Hamilton"|first=Elizabeth|last=Logan|date=October 1, 2015|website=Huffingtonpost.com|accessdate=May 4, 2017}}

The song receives two reprises at key junctures in the musical: during "Blow Us All Away" when Philip Hamilton and George Eacker are about to duel, and in "The World Was Wide Enough" in the lead-up to the Burr–Hamilton duel. In addition, the counting leitmotif is heard in a modified form in various songs throughout the show, such as in the first of the "Cabinet Battle" songs, where it is orchestrated in baroque counterpoint, and in "Take a Break", where Phillip and his mother Eliza Hamilton argue over and learn about the correct notes on a piano scale and French counting.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qXsFs2ywMo|title=How Hamilton Works Why Ten Duel Commandments is Amazing|date=2017-06-05|via=YouTube|accessdate=May 29, 2020}}

The Young Folks had it ranked 29th among songs in Hamilton.{{cite web|url=https://www.theyoungfolks.com/music/79401/every-song-from-the-hamilton-cast-album-ranked/|title=Every Song from 'Hamilton,' Ranked - The Young Folks|author=|date=June 14, 2016|website=Theyoungfolks.com|accessdate=May 4, 2017}}

Huffington Post said that the song was a "club-worthy jam", and Vibe.com said that it contained a "strong percussive beat" with the men involved "exuding dominance".{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/2015/10/hamilton-soundtrack-review/|title=Going H.A.M.: A Track-By-Track Review Of The 'Hamilton' Soundtrack|author=|date=October 20, 2015|website=Vibe.com|accessdate=May 4, 2017}}

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Category:2015 songs

Category:Songs from Hamilton (musical)

Category:Songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Category:Songs written by DJ Premier

Category:Works about dueling