On the Steps of the Palace Songtext
von Stephen Sondheim

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 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 till 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'd be better off there
Where there′s nothing to choose
So there′s nothing to lose
So you pry off 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
(And I've learned something too)
Something you never knew
(And I′ve learned something too)
That I never, never, never knew before

(In the land of the giant)
(In the belly of a wolf)
On the steps of the palace!