#Bloganuary 25 2023 

As a young person, I was never one to be into musicals. I was more into the punk rock and grudge scene in the 90s. So this song, in particular, is shocking for me to add to my list of songs that speak to me.

The song Who Am I? Written by Herbert Kretzmer.

In the story, Valjean is given a chance to live a free life by allowing an innocent man the court believes to be Valjean to go to prison. He reveals himself in court, renewing Javert’s pursuit of him.

This is a song of self-announcement, realization, and actualization. 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.

Lyrics

He thought that man was 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.
How can I abandon them?
How would 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 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

[He appears in front of the court]

Who am I? Who am I?
I’m Jean Valjean!

[He unbuttons his shirt to reveal the number tattooed to his chest]

And so Javert, you see it’s true
This man bears no more guilt than you!
Who am I?
24601!