I Am the Greatness (Herod's Song)

Patently unworthy to aspire to royalty,
Doubtlessly a poor, deluded, peasant family,
Urged along by foreigners proclaiming prophecies--
I can smell the scent familiar of rebellion

I can see the shadows of the vultures' patient wings;
Miscreants and fools would love to make or be made king
In the end, they're happy just to spread their suffering:
This situation calls for my solution

For I am the greatness, it is I upon the throne;
I throw down pretenders, it is I and I alone
I sift out the riff-raff, then I smash them like a stone;
I am the greatness, I and I alone
I am the greatness, I and I alone

I can hear the voices of the centuries come down;
Emperors and wise men will remember Herod's crown
Bringing Roman peace to this Judean barren ground--
Oh, I'm sure my name will never be forgotten

For I am the greatness, it is I upon the throne;
I throw down pretenders, it is I and I alone
I sift out the riff-raff, then I smash them like a stone;
I am the greatness, I and I alone
I am the greatness, I and I alone

Would you dare to kill to govern well,
To boldly use the pow'r that is your birthright?
I can hear the mourner's moans and yells;
Oh, they weep not for the king, but
Someone else's son tonight...

For I am the greatness, it is I upon the throne;
I throw down pretenders, it is I and I alone
I sift out the riff-raff, then I smash them like a stone;
I am the greatness, I and I alone; I am the greatness, I and I alone;
I am the greatness, I and I alone; I am the greatness, I and I alone