Claude-Michel Schonberg - Who Am I? lyrics

[VALJEAN]

He thinks that man is me

He knew him at a glance!

That stranger he has found

This man could be my chance!

Why should I save his hide?

Why should I right this wrong

When I have come so far

And struggled for so long?

If I speak, I am condemned.

If I stay silent, I am damned!

I am the master of hundreds of workers.

They all look to me.

How can I abandon them?

How would they live

If I am not free?

If I speak, I am condemned.

If I stay silent, I am damned!

Who am I?

Can I condemn this man to slavery

Pretend I do not feel his agony

This innocent who bears my face

Who goes to judgement in my place

Who am I?

Can I conceal myself for evermore?

Pretend I'm not the man I was before?

And must my name until I die

Be no more than an alibi?

Must I lie?

How can I ever face my fellow men?

How can I ever face myself again?

My soul belongs to God, I know

I made that bargain long ago

He gave me hope when hope was gone

He gave me strength to journey on

[He appears in front of the court]

Who am I? Who am I?

I am Jean Valjean!

[He unbuttons his shirt to reveal the number tattooed to his chest]

And so Javert, you see it's true

That man bears no more guilt than you!

Who am I?

24601!