Jerry Herman
I Am What I Am
[Verse 1]
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"

[Verse 2]
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 different angle?
Your life is a sham
'Till you can shout out loud
"I am what I am"

[Verse 3]
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"