On the Steps of the Palace - Stephen Sondheim

He is very smart Prince

He’s a prince who prepares

Knowing this time I’d run him,

He spread pitch on the stairs.

And I’m caught unawares.

Well it means that he cares-

This is more than just malice

Better stop and take Stock

while you’re standing here stuck

On the steps of the palace.

All right what do you want?

Have to make a decision.

Why not stay here and be caught?

Should I give that a thought,

What would be his response?

But what if he knew

Who I am when I know

That I’m not what he thinks

That he wants?

And that what I am?

What a prince would envision?

But then how can you know

Who are you are till you know

What I want, which I don’t?

So then which do you pick:

Where you’re safe, out of sight,

And yourself, but where

everything’s wrong

or where everything’s right

But you know that you’ll never belong?

And whichever you pick,

Do it quick,

'Cause your starting to stick

To the steps of the palace.

It’s my first big decision,

The choice isn’t easy to make.

To arrive at the ball

Is exciting and all

Once you’re there, though it’s scary

And it’s fun to decieve

When you know you can leave,

But you have to wary.

There’s alot at stake,

But I’ve stalled long enough,

'Cause Im still standing stuck

In the stuff on the step.

Better run along home

and avoid the collision.

Even though they don’t care,

I’ll be better out there

Where there is nothing to choose.

So there is nothing to lose

So I pry up my shoes.

Without thinking it through,

Things don’t have to collide,

I know what my decision is,

Which is not to decide.

Ill leave him clue:

For example, a shoe.

And then see what he’ll do.

Now it’s he and not you

Who will be stuck with a shoe,

In a stew, in the goo,

And I’ve learned something too,

Something I never knew,

On the steps of the palace…