On the Steps of the Palace Songtext
von Phillipa Soo

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, it's a thought"
What would be his response?
But then what if he knew you 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 deceive 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!