I Am

[DHH]
I am
I am a fake
Not Chinese, not American
Half and half doesn't always equal one

(spoken)
I'm the worst of both worlds

[Xue Xing, spoken]
David, you're more Chinese than you think

[DHH]
How can you say that?

[Xue Xing]
At McDonald's, when you tried to grab the check?
That's Chinese

[DHH]
It is?
All my life I've wondered why no one ever tries to grab it back

[Xue Xing]
See? You've been trying to gain face

[DHH, sung]
I learned that from my father
Grab the check, pay the bill
Don't shame your assistant when he can't keep up the pace
Let him keep his dignity, maintain his place
I guess that's face

[Xue Xing, sung]
Yes, that's face

[DHH, spoken]
But I'm American too!

(sung)
I learned how to tell a story
One with soul and emotion
And filled with my devotion to a dream I believed in
A dream we gave the world
That was my art

[Xue Xing]
I guess that's heart

[DHH]
Yes, that's heart
Xing, you've helped me see
I don't have to play a role
I'm not two halves, I'm whole
Enough just as I am
It's something to be proud of
I guess that's love

[Xue Xing]
I guess that's love

[DHH]
I am
I am Chinese
I am
I am American
I have both, face and heart
The world needs both
I am both

(spoken)
Tonight, democracy has broken my heart
I think, I think I'm gonna faint now

[Xue Xing, spoken]
No no no no, stay with me
David? David?

(sung)
I am, I am afraid
Sadness isn't useful
Emotions mustn't guide you
Feelings always pass, they always—

[Chorus]
Mmmm
Mmmm
Mmmm

[Xue Xing]
What is this, "America?"
Why do I cry for America?