- published: 23 Jan 2016
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Lionel Bart (1 August 1930 – 3 April 1999) was a writer and composer of British pop music and musicals, best known for creating the book, music and lyrics for Oliver!
Bart was born Lionel Begleiter in East London, the youngest of seven surviving children of Galician Jews, Yetta (née Darumstundler) and Morris Begleiter, a master tailor. He grew up in Stepney. His father worked as a tailor in a garden shed in London E1. The family had escaped the deadly pogroms against Jews by Ukrainian cossacks in Galicia, which was then part of the Austrian Empire. The sole survivor of the seven children is Lionel's sister Renee Gold.
Lionel changed his name to Bart, said to be derived from when he passed by St. Bart's hospital on the top deck of a bus after he had completed his National Service with the Royal Air Force. A more likely derivation of Bart is from the silk-screen company Lionel founded with John Gorman, G and B Arts.
As a young man he was an accomplished painter. At the age of six a teacher told his parents that he was a musical genius. His parents gave him an old violin, but he did not apply himself and the lessons stopped.
As long as he needs me,
Oh yes, he does need me.
In spite of what you see,
I'm sure that he needs me.
Who else would love him still,
When they've been used so ill?
He knows I always will,
As long as he needs me.
I miss him so much,
When he is gone.
But when he's near me,
I don't let on.
The way I feel inside,
The love I have to hide,
The hell, I've got my pride,
As long as he needs me.
He doesn't say the things he should.
He acts the way he thinks he should.
But all the same,
I'll play this game his way.
As long as he needs me,
I know where I must be.
I'll cling on steadfastly,
As long as he needs me.
As long as life is long,
I'll love him, right or wrong.
And somehow I'll be strong,
As long as he needs me.
If you are lonely,
Then you will know -
When someone needs you,
You'll love them so.
I won't betray his trust,
Thought people say I must.
I've got to stay true, just