Who Am I

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 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!

[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!