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. How 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
[He appears in front of the court]
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!