Self Portrait

I'd love for you to know me well
To see me falling into place
To see the face behind the face
Behind the face

I'd love for you to see me clear
With all my virtues and my lies
With all the pleasure
And the pain around the eyes
I want the opportunity to show you
The whole damn display
To open like a flower and to know you will stay

I wish that you could take me home
And take the time to work me out
To say, "Yes, there he is"
"Yes, that's what he's about"

The joy of him
The silliness
The hell
I'd love for you to know me very well

I direct my friend Lucy Chaprakowski
To read the following list of bequests
Article one
Several years ago, I made a promise
Which I wish to fulfill
By using proceeds from my lyrics to "A Chorus Line"
To create a foundation to encourage talented young songwriters
Who aspire to write for the theater
A highly endangered species

Article two
I wrote a bunch of songs that are growing mold
In the proverbial trunk near my piano
And it is my wish to leave these songs
Which I value most
To the people I value most

Article three
Hi, Eddie
I told you not to come
And you thought I'd listen?
You're late

I've been standing in the back
With the legions of other friends you're not speaking to
Good place for you
You've got to hear me!
It's like the Mets
Keith Hernandez is a great hitter
But his fielding's even better

He's a wonderful baseball player
You are a wonderful songwriter
Was
You are
You always will be
Truth?
Truth

Well, I never would've been
Without you
And that's the truth

Article four
It is my wish that, if I survive until Valentine's Day
My favorite holiday
That Dr. Sophie Kallan will be forgiven
And reinstated in my will
Ed, that's tomorrow!
Timing was never my strong suit

Sophie
Oh, I'm so glad -
Come stand with me
I want you to read the rest, please

Article five
It is my wish that my friends will arrange for the songs
To be performed
Preferably in a large building
In a central part of town
In a dark room
As part of a play
With a lot of people listening
Who have all paid a great deal to get in

But if the songs are sung for the love of them
I will probably be content
Probably

I'd love for you to know me well
To see me falling into place
To see the face behind the face behind the face
It wasn't the money
He never even understood money

I'd love for you to see me clear
With all my virtues and my lies
With all the pleasure and the pain
Around the eyes
Who can say whose life is successful?
Don't look at me

I want the opportunity to show you
The whole damn display
To open like a flower and to know you will stay
You know, in a way
He got what he wanted

I wish that you would take me home
And take the time to work me out
To say, "Yes, there he is"
"Yes, that's what he's about"

The joy of him
The silliness
The hell
I'd love for you to know me very well