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
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 wears 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

Who am I?
Who am I?
I'm Jean Valjean

And so Javert, you see it's true
That man bears no more guilt than you
Who am I?
Two- four- six- zero- one!


Lyrics submitted by fallacies

Who Am I? Lyrics as written by Herbert Kretzmer Alain Albert Boublil

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Who Am I? song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    Valjean is given the chance to live a free life by allowing an innocent man the court believes to be Valjean to go to prison. He decides to reveal himself in court, renewing Javert's persuit of him.

    pilate713on February 22, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i love this song, another fave. I have always loved it.

    blackxhearton October 09, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    one of my favorite anime voice actors played Jean Valjean on the London stage... Jamie McGonnigal. Watch for him. His voice when he sang this song broke my heart. sigh and then he did the final bit for an outtake on Knight Hunters ("Who am I? Who am I? 24601!!")

    Yufferson August 20, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Sometimes when I listen to this song, I fast forward it to after he says "I am damned," for the second time. Then, I always rewind when he says "I'm Jean Valjean," and "24601." It's so amazing.

    amersami32on March 19, 2006   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning

    This is a song of self announcement, realization, and acutalization. Many of us live a lie and finally have to admit that we are not what we have been saying we are. Do we continue with the lie that hurts us, but saves others or do we reveal our true selves. To live we must finally reveal our true selves as God created us. We are all 24601.

    mscon March 20, 2011   Link

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