Lyrics:

Words & Music: Jerry Herman

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 'til 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 sparkle and each bangle?
Why not try to see things from a different angle?
Your life is a sham 'til 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 it's no return and no deposit
One life, so it's time to open up your closet!