Stephen Sondheim
Lyric guide

On The Steps Of The Palace

Read On The Steps Of The Palace lyrics by Stephen Sondheim on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.

Stephen Sondheim visibility0 visits
person Curated by Ethan Walker LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot

The page facts to cite before the commentary

Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.

Page type: lyric reference Artist: Stephen Sondheim Canonical path: /sondheim-stephen/on-the-steps-of-the-palace Related lyric paths: 6
Lyrics

On The Steps Of The Palace

The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.

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

Quick answers

What this page can answer fast

Who performs "On The Steps Of The Palace"?

Stephen Sondheim performs "On The Steps Of The Palace", and this lyric page sits inside the Stephen Sondheim catalog on LyroVerse.

Are there related songs to explore after "On The Steps Of The Palace"?

Yes. The related section below points to A Boy Like That, I Have A Love and A Little Priest with a short reason for opening each page next.

Where can I find more songs by Stephen Sondheim?

Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Stephen Sondheim's lyric pages.

Song Room

Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song

Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.

Open Song Room
0 followers Selected insights only surface after moderation
Listener comments

What people are saying

0 comments
Add a short interpretation or memory

A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.

Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.

No listener comments on On The Steps Of The Palace yet.