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 have 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 person 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 people's respect;
but here in the struggle for fame and wealth
I want to be able to like myself.
I don't want to look at myself and know
that I'm blister and bluff and empty show.
I can never hide myself from me;
I see what others may never see;
I know things others may never know,
I can never fool myself, and so,
whatever happens, I want to be
self-respecting and guilt-free
Me.
