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| "Who Am I?--The Trial" | |
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"Who Am I?" takes place in 1823, Montreuil-sur-Mer. After Javert informs Monsieur Madeleine (Jean Valjean in disguise) about Champmathieu, the man who he believes is Valjean, will go to trial and apologizes to Monsieur Madeleine for believing that he is, in fact, the said convict and even asked him to press charges against him. Valjean decides to turn himself in to save the man who was mistaken for him by Javert. It is sung by Jean Valjean.
The lyrics were written by Herbert Kretzmer.
Lyrics[]
Valjean:
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
[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
That man bears no more guilt than you!
Who am I?
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Trivia[]
- The song is known as "Comment faire?" in the 1991 Paris revival, which translates roughly to "What To Do?"
- "¿Quién soy yo? " in the Spanish production, which translates directly to "Who Am I?"
- "Wer bin ich" in the German production and "Wie ben ik?" in the Dutch production.
- "Who am I" is titled "Kim mam być?" (Who I am supposed to be?) in the Polish Roma Theater production.
- A very minor change occurs in the 1988 symphonic soundtrack. Instead of referring to Champmathieu as "this innocent who bears my face," he speaks of him as "this innocent who wears my face."
- The 25th anniversary concert changes a few lyrics. "He thinks that man is me/He knew him at a glance" is changed to "He thought that man was me/Without a second glance." That particular change is also present in some other performances of the musical since approximately the late 1990s. Also, "If I speak, I am condemned" is changed to "If I speak, they are condemned."
- A few scenes and lyrics are changed in the 2012 film:
- Valjean appears in court after "I'm Jean Valjean!"
- Due to Javert not being present in court, "And so Javert, you see it's true" is changed to "And so Your Honour, you see it's true."
- Valjean doesn't rip his shirt open.
Videos[]
Les Misérables 7- Who Am I?
Les Misérables - Who Am I?
Les Misérables - Alfie Boe - Who Am I
Les Misérables (25th Anniversary Concert) - Who Am I?
Who am I - Les Miserables
Les Misérables (10th Anniversary Concert) - Who Am I?
Who Am I? Les Miserables 2012
Teatr Muzyczny ROMA- Kim mam być (Musical "Les Miserables")
Polish version of the song