Myself I have to live with myself, and so, I want to be fit for myself to know; I want to be able as days go by, Always to look myself straight in the eye; I don't want to stand with the setting sun And hate myself for the things I've done.
I don't want to keep on a closet shelf A lot of secrets about myself, And fool myself as I come and go Into thinking that nobody else will know The kind of man I really am; I don't want to dress myself up in sham.
I want to go out with my head erect, I want to deserve all men's respect; But here in this struggle for fame and pelf, I want to be able to like myself. I don't want to think as I come and go That I'm bluster and bluff and empty show.
I never can hide myself from me, I see what others may never see, I know what others may never know, I never can fool myself- and so, Whatever happens, I want to be Self-respecting and conscience free.
