Who Am I? Lyrics
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 right this wrong
When I have come so far
And struggled for so long?
If I stay silent, I am damned!
They all look to me.
How can I abandon them?
How would they live
If I am not free?
If I stay silent, I am damned!
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
I am Jean Valjean!
That man bears no more guilt than you!
Who am I?
24601!
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.
i love this song, another fave. I have always loved it.
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!!")
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.
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.