Jerry Herman - I Am What I Am (from "La Cage aux Folles") lyrics

Ensemble: (Prelude, Reprise) We are what we are And what we are is an illusion We love how it feels Putting on heels causing sonfusion We face life Though it's sometimes sweet and sometimes bitter Face life with a little guts and lots of glitter Look under our frocks: Girdles and jocks Proving We are what... Albin: No! Get off ---- 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 dont want pity I bang my own drum Some think it's noise I think its 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 '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 aces, 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."