On the Steps of the Palace – English Lyrics

• By: Anna Kendrick

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a powerful tool, and 'On the Steps of the Palace' offers a unique challenge and reward. The song's intricate lyrics and complex emotional journey provide a rich landscape for understanding nuanced vocabulary and storytelling. Its fast-paced, thought-provoking nature makes it a special piece for advanced learners to master, offering a deep dive into the art of lyrical narrative.

[English]

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

And I'm 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

All right, what do you want?

Have to make a decision

Why not stay and be caught?

Should I give that a thought

What would be his response?

But then what if he knew

Who I am when I know

That I'm not what he thinks

That he wants?

Or, then, what if I am?

What a Prince would envision?

But then how can you know

Who you are 'til you know

What you want? Which I 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 my 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 I've stalled long enough

'Cause I'm still standing stuck

In the stuff on the steps

Better run along home

And avoid the collision

Though at home they don't care

I'll be better off there

Where there's nothing to choose

So there's nothing to lose

So I'll pry up my shoes

Wait, though thinking it through

Things don't have to collide

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'll be stuck with a shoe

In a stew, in the goo

And I've learned something, too

Something I never knew

...

On the steps of the palace

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
palace /ˈpæl.ɪs/ B1	noun - a large, grand residence for a ruler or high-ranking person
steps /stɛps/ A2	noun - stair or series of stairs
decision /dɪˈsaɪ.ʒən/ B1	noun - a choice or judgment made after considering options
envision /ɪnˈvɪʒ.ən/ B2	verb - to imagine as a future possibility
manage /ˈmæn.ɪdʒ/ B2	verb - to be able to do, deal with, or handle something
caring /ˈkeər.ɪŋ/ B1	adjective - showing concern or kindness towards others
malice /ˈmæl.ɪs/ C1	noun - the intention or desire to do evil
care /keər/ A2	verb - to be concerned about or to look after noun - the process of caring for someone or something
malice /ˈmæl.ɪs/ C1	noun - desire to harm others; spite
stuck /stʌk/ B1	adjective - unable to move or be moved
avoid /əˈvɔɪd/ A2	verb - to stay away from or prevent from happening
collision /kəˈlɪʒ.ən/ B2	noun - an instance of one object hitting another
leave /liːv/ A2	verb - to go away from a place or person
decide /dɪˈsaɪd/ B1	verb - to make a choice or judgment
clue /kluː/ B2	noun - a piece of evidence or information used in solving a problem
example /ɪgˈzɑːm.pl/ A2	noun - a thing characteristic of its kind or illustrating a general rule

Key Grammar Structures

• He’s a very smart Prince

  ➔ Contraction of 'He is' to 'He’s' (subject + be + adjective)

  ➔ Using contractions makes speech more natural and informal.

• Knowing this time I'd run from him

  ➔ Use of 'would' to indicate a hypothetical or future-in-the-puture action.

  ➔ 'Would' is used to express hypothetical or conditional situations in the past or future.

• Or, then what if he knew

  ➔ Use of 'what if' to introduce hypothetical questions or scenarios.

  ➔ 'What if' is a phrase used to consider potential outcomes or possibilities.

• And then, what if I am?

  ➔ Use of 'if' conditionals to explore possibility or uncertainty.

  ➔ Conditional sentences with 'if' are used to consider uncertainties or different outcomes.

• Where you're safe, out of sight

  ➔ Use of prepositional phrase to describe location or state.

  ➔ Prepositional phrases can specify the location, movement, or condition of something or someone.

• So then which do you pick

  ➔ Use of 'which' to specify a choice among options, with inversion for question formation.

  ➔ 'Which' is a determiner used to specify one or more items from a known set, often used with inversion for questions.

• I know what my decision is

  ➔ Use of indirect speech with 'know' + object clause to report understanding or knowledge.

  ➔ The phrase 'know what my decision is' indicates awareness or certainty about one's choice.