Being Who You Are

Cover art by Olga Bolotova
(a.k.a. HelgaLin) Licensed by Shutterstock

A lighthearted romp affirming individual differences (with a touch of Shakespeare)

Commissioned by Waunakee Middle School

Winner of the KidSing Composer's Competition

Honorable Mention in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest

Poet/Lyricist:

Elizabeth Alexander

A lively affirmation of individual differences, this song includes such unlikely compadres as the Ugly Duckling, Rudolph the Reindeer, Ruby Bridges, Susan B. Anthony, and Shakespeare!

The chorus of this song includes brief cameo appearances by a number of small percussion instruments. The score suggests jingle bells, slide whistle, duck call, ratchet, claves and guiro, but creative performers may substitute other instruments they have around - or wish to create!

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Being Who You Are

Lyrics by Elizabeth Alexander, with students at Waunakee Elementary School

Rudolph the reindeer couldn’t get respect
‘Cause his nose was different from the rest.
The ugly duckling had a scrawny neck
So the others drove him from the nest.
These two, to name a few, did what they had to do.
Like you, this they knew: “To thine own self be true!”
Rudolph was a great phenomenon,
Soon that duckling turned into a swan,
You'll do fine if you just keep on being who you are.

Susan B. Anthony held aloft her sign
Even though folks said she was a fool.
And even hecklers couldn’t undermine
Ruby Bridges marching into school.
These two, to name a few, did what they had to do.
Like you, this they knew: “To thine own self be true.”
Susan called on women to arise,
Ruby’s courage opened many eyes,
Speak your truth! Don’t apologize for being who you are.

So if you wear glasses on your nose,
If you’re bald or have eleven toes,
Be the best “you” that you can be,
Tell your story with honesty,
And you’ll shine ever brilliantly, being who you are.

Composer's Note:

I composed Being Who You Are with students from Waunakee Elementary School. They came up with the idea that the different percussion instruments were like individual people, a metaphor which I still find moving.

Program Notes / Performance Notes: