Who & What I Am
I’ve seen four decades come and go
They’re all the same to me
Each time I get too settled
I struggle to break free
Then I hold my head up high
And I keep on coming back
’Cause I’d rather be who and what I am
Than what I need or lack
I grew up in my mama’s house
I never knew my dad
And I never counted all the things
I knew I never had
’Cause I had the thing that matters most
And they can’t take that back
That’s just who and what I am
Not what I need or lack
I’ve seen the light, I know wrong from right
And I know which way is down
’Cause that’s where I was headed
When I turned myself around
Then I held my head up high
And I kept on coming back
’Cause I’d rather be who and what I am
Than what I need or lack
My songs don’t make the hit parade
My socks don’t even match
I’m not what lonely hearts would call
The ideal, perfect catch
But I hold my head up high
And I keep on coming back
’Cause I’d rather be who and what I am
Than what I need or lack
So save your tears for someone
Who lives in fear and pain
I don’t need your close embrace
I’ll just break free again
©1995 Glen F. Nemeth • All Rights Reserved
My wife says this is her favorite of all my songs because it sums me
up so well. I took some liberties — I really did get to know my Dad,
briefly — but the song is for the most part accurate as a biographical
sketch.
— Glen
Who & What I Am