Stephen Sondheim Lyrics
"On The Steps Of The Palace"

he's a very smart prince
he's a prince who prepares
knowing this time i'd run from him
he spread pitch on the stairs
i was caught unawares
and i thought,
well 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

you think what do you want
you think make a decision
why not stay and be caught,
you think, well, that's a lot
what would be his response
but then what if he knew who you were
when you know that you're not
what he thinks that he wants

and then what if you are
what a prince would envision
although how can you know who you are
til you know what you want
which you 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 and you know
that you'll never belong

and whichever you pick,
do it quick
cause you're starting to stick
to the steps of the palace

it's your first big decision
the choice isn't easy to make
to arrive at a 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 be wary

there's a lot that's at stake
but you've stalled long enough
cause you're still standing stuck
in the stuff on the steps

better run along home
and avoid the collision
even though they don't care
you'll be better off there
where there's nothing to choose
so there's nothing to lose
so you pry up your shoes

then from out of the blue
and without any guide
you know what your decision is
which is not to decide
you'll just leave him a clue
for example...a shoe
and then see what he'll do
now it's he and not you who
is stuck with a shoe
in a stew
in the goo
and you've learned something too
something you never knew
on the steps of the palace