“Most disputes die and no one shoots”
Lyrics: Stay alive
Stay alive
Stay alive
I have never seen the General so despondent
I have taken over writing all his correspondence
Congress writes, “George, attack the British forces”
I shoot back, we have resorted to eating our horses
Local merchants deny us equipment, assistance
They only take British money, so sing a song of sixpence
The cavalry’s not coming
But, sir
Alex, listen
There’s only one way for us to win this
Provoke outrage, outright
That’s right
Don’t engage, strike by night
Remain relentless ’til their troops take flight
Make it impossible to justify the cost of the fight
Outrun
Outrun
Outlast
Outlast
Hit ’em quick, get out fast
Chick-a-plao
Stay alive ’til this horror show is past
We’re gonna fly a lot of flags half-mast
Raise a glass
I go back to New York and my apprenticeship
I ask for French aid, I pray that France has sent a ship
I stay at work with Hamilton
We write essays against slavery
And every day’s a test of our camaraderie
And bravery
We cut supply lines, we steal contraband
We pick and choose our battles and places to take a stand
And ev’ry day
Sir, entrust me with a command
And ev’ry day
No
He dismisses me out of hand
Instead of me (stay alive)
He promotes
Charles Lee
Makes him second-in-command
I’m a General
Whee
Yeah
He’s not the choice I would have gone with
He shits the bed at the Battle of Monmouth
Ev’ryone attack
Retreat
Attack
Retreat
What are you doing, Lee?
Get back on your feet
But there’s so many of them
I’m sorry, is this not your speed?
Hamilton
Ready, sir
Have Lafayette take the lead
Yes, sir
A thousand soldiers die in a hundred degree heat
As we snatch a stalemate from the jaws of defeat
Charles Lee was left behind
Without a pot to piss in
He started sayin’ this to anybody who would listen
Washington cannot be left alone to his devices
Indecisive, from crisis to crisis
The best thing he can do for the revolution
Is turn n’ go back to plantin’ tobacco in Mount Vernon
Oo
Don’t do a thing
History will prove him wrong
But, sir
We have a war to fight, let’s move along
Strong words from Lee, someone oughta hold him to it
I can’t disobey direct orders
Then I’ll do it
Alexander, you’re the closest friend I’ve got
Laurens, do not throw away your shot
Lyrics: The 10 Duel Commandments
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Number (Ten paces!) Fire!
Listen again: Stay alive
Listen again: The 10 Duel Commandments
“Make it impossible to justify the cost of the fight”
The British have more men and money than the Americans. Washington doesn’t know what do do.
Hamilton wants to be a commander, but Washington wants him as his right hand man. He promotes Charles Lee to be a General, but was that a wise decision…?
Task 1
Task 2