This song and role were performed by Tony-nominated actor, Brian d'Arcy James, in the 2008 Broadway production.
I guess I'd be a hero With sword and armor clashing Looking semi dashing A shield within my grip Or else I'd be a viking And live a life of daring While smelling like a herring Upon a viking ship I'd sail away, I'd see the world I'd reach the farthest reaches I'd feel the wind, I'd taste the salt and sea And maybe storm, some beaches That's who I'd be, that's who I'd be Or I could be a poet And write a different story One that tells of glory And wipes away the lies And to the skies I'd throw it The stars would do the telling The moon would help with spelling And night would dot the 'I's I'd write my verse, recite a joke It'd fit in perfect timing I'd share my heart, confess the things I yearn And do it all while rhyming But we all learn, but we all learn An ogre always hides An ogre's fate is known And ogre always stays In the dark and all alone So yes, I'd be a hero And if my wish were granted Life would be enchanted Or so the stories say Of course I'd be a hero And I would scale a tower And save a hothouse flower And carry her away But standing guard there'd be a beast I'd somehow overwhelm it I'd get the girl, I'd take my breath And I'd remove my helmet We'd stand and stare, we'd speak of love We'd feel the stars ascending We'd share a kiss, I'd find my destiny I'd have a hero's ending A perfect happy ending That's how it would be A big bright beautiful world But not for me An ogre always hides An ogre's fate is known And ogre always stays In the dark, you're all alone, all alone So yes, I'd be a hero and if my wish were granted (And I know he'll appear) Life would be enchanted or so the stories say (Fiona: 'Cause there are rules and there are strictures) (Donkey: All alone) Of course I'd be a hero and I would scale a tower (Fiona: I believe a storybooks I read) (Donkey: You need a pal. My calendar's open) And save a hot-house flower and carry her away (Fiona: By candlelight) (Donkey: You need me) A perfect happy ending That's how it should be