I AM WHAT I AM

Words & Music by Jerry Herman
© 1983, Jerry Herman

(Albin) – I am what I am,
I am my own
special creation.

So come take a look,
give me the hook
or the ovation.

It's my world
that I want to have a little pride in,

My world,
and it's not a place I have to hide in.

Life's not worth a damn
till you can say,
"Hey world, I am what I am!"

I am what I am,
I don't want praise,
I don't want pity.

I bang my own drum,
some think it's noise,
I think it's pretty.

And so what
if I love each feather and each spangle.

Why not
try to see things from a diff'rent angle?

Your life is a sham
till you can shout
out loud, "I am what I am!"

I am what I am,
and what I am
needs no excuses.

I deal my own deck,
sometimes the ace,
sometimes the deuces.

There's one life,
and there's no return and no deposit,

One life,
so it's time to open up your closet.

Life's not worth a damn
till you can say,
"Hey world, I am what I am!"

05-09-94, 14:30, R.S.

Soft Karaoke
Words
Melody
Drums
Bass
Keyboard
Strings 1
Strings 2
Strings 3
Cello
Clarinet
French Horns
Trumpets
Trombones
Glockenspiel
Harp
Timpani