"On the Steps of the Palace" from "Into the Woods"

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
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

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?
And then what if he knew who you were
And 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 but 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 up your shoes
Then from out of the blue
And without any guide
I know what my decision is
Which is not to decide
I'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

"I Know Things Now" from "Into the Woods"

Mother said, "straight ahead,
"Not to delay or be mislead"
I should've heeded her advice,
But he seemed so nice.

And he showed me things,
Many beautiful things
That I hadn't thought to explore.
They were off my path
So I never had dared.
I had been so careful,
I never had cared.
And he hade me feel excited-
Well, excited and scared.

When he said, "come in"
With that sickening grin,
How could I know what was in store?
Once his teeth were bared,
Though, I really got scared.
Well, excited and scared.

But he drew me close,
And he swallowed me down,
Down a dark slimy path
Where lie secrets that I never want to know.
And when everything familiar
Seemed to disappear forever,
At the end of the path,
was granny one again.
So we wait in the dark
Until someone sets us free,
And we're brought into the light,
And we're back at the start.

And I know things now,
Many valuable things
That I hadn't known before.
Do not put your faith
In a cape and a hood.
They will not protect you
The way that thy should.
And take extra care with strangers,
Even flowers have their dangers.
And though scary is exciting,
Nice is different than good.

Now I know: don't be scared.
Granny is right, just be prepared.
Isn't it nice to know a lot?
And a little bit not.