Who Am I? Songtext

von John Owen-Jones

He thinks that man is me!
Without a second 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 will they live if I am not free?
If I speak, they are 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!

Who am I?
Who am I?
I am Jean Valjean!

And so, Javert, you see it's true,
That man bears no more guilt than you!
Who am I?