Who Am I?

Lyrics

[VALJEAN] He thought that man was me Without a second glance This 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 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? [VALJEAN appears in front of the court.] Who am I?— I'm Jean Valjean [VALJEAN unbuttons his shirt to reveal the number tattooed to his chest.] [JUDGE, spoken] Silence! [VALJEAN] And so, Javert, you see it's true That man bears no more guilt than you! Who am I? 24601! [JUDGE, spoken] Order!