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About the Composer

Elizabeth Alexander

Elizabeth Alexander (b. 1962) grew up in the Carolinas and Appalachian Ohio. Her love of music, language and challenging questions is reflected in her catalog of over 100 songs and choral works, and a style which moves effortlessly between concert stage, choir loft and jam session. Her music has been performed by soloists, chamber musicians...

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Elizabeth Alexander (Seafarer Press)

Being Who You Are

Name: Being Who You Are
SKU: SEA-003-01
Availability: InStock

Elizabeth Alexander

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

Difficulty: 2

Duration: less than 3 min.

SEA-003-01

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SA, piano, misc. percussion

A lively affirmation of individual differences, “Being Who You Are” includes such unlikely compadres as the Ugly Duckling, Rudolph the Reindeer, Ruby Bridges, Susan B. Anthony, and Shakespeare! The chorus also includes brief cameo appearances by 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!

Composer’s Notes

When the students and I wrote this song together, we used percussion instruments that happened to be in the school music room, like jingle bells, slide whistles, claves, castanets, and sandblocks. These diverse instruments became our musical representation of our own individuality. When YOU sing this song, feel free to use any instruments you have around — or maybe even build your own!

– Elizabeth Alexander

Text

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.

$2.25 per licensed PDF