Claude-michel Schönberg - Who Am I? 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.
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

Who am i? who am i?
I am jean valjean!

And so javert, you see it's true
That man bears no more guilt than you!
Who am i?
24601!