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