Lionel later changed his name to Bart derived from the name of the silk screen printing firm he and John Gorman[1] created ("G & B Arts", for Gorman and Begleiter) after he had completed his National Service with the Royal Air Force.
As a young man he was quite an accomplished painter. When Lionel Bart was six years old 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.
At the age of 16 he obtained a scholarship to St Martin's School of Art but he was expelled for "mischievousness", and he gave up his ambition to be a painter. However, he took jobs in silk-screen printing works and commercial art studios. He never learned to read or write musical notation; this did not stop him from becoming a highly significant personality in the development of British rock and pop music.
[edit] Songwriting
He started his songwriting career in amateur theatre. first at The International Youth Centre in 1952 where he and a friend wrote a revue together called IYC Revue 52. The following year the pair auditioned for a production of the Leonard Irwin play The Wages Of Eve at Unity Theatre, London. Shortly after Bart began composing songs for Unity Theatre, contributing material (including the title song) to their 1953 revue Turn It Up, and songs for their 1953 pantomime, an agit prop version of Cinderella. While at Unity he was talent spotted by Joan Littlewood and so joined Theatre Workshop. [2]
He first gained widespread recognition through his songwriting, which includes the hits Livin' Doll (written for Cliff Richard) and Rock with the Cavemen, Handful of Songs, Butterfingers and Little White Bull (for Tommy Steele). During this period, Mike Pratt as well as Steele were his songwriting partners. In 1957, he won three Ivor Novello Awards, a further four in 1958, and two in 1960.
He wrote the theme song for the 1963 James Bond film From Russia With Love.
His other hits include: Do You Mind? (by Anthony Newley and Andy Williams), Easy Going Me (Adam Faith) and Always You And Me (with Russ Conway)
[edit] Musical theatre
His first professional musical was the 1959 Lock Up Your Daughters, based on an 18th century play by Henry Fielding. Following that, Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be produced by Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop, was notable for encouraging the use of authentic Cockney accents on the London stage. Oliver! (1960), based on Dickens' Oliver Twist was a huge hit from the very beginning, and has sustained its popularity to the present day. The original stage musical which starred Ron Moody and Georgia Brown spawned such song hits as As Long As He Needs Me and Consider Yourself. In 1968 it was made into a film starring Ron Moody, Oliver Reed and Shani Wallis which won several Oscars, including best film. Subject to belief, Lionel actually wrote the part of Nancy for singing star Alma Cogan and not his childhood friend Georgia Brown. Alma was unable to commit to Oliver! at Wimbledon Theatre. It is estimated that around this time Bart was earning 16 pounds a minute from Oliver!.
Bart's next two musicals, Blitz! (1962) (the song Far Away produced another hit for Shirley Bassey) and Maggie May (1964), had respectable West End runs (Blitz!, at the time London's most expensive musical ever, had a run of 568 performances[3]); but Twang! (1965) was a notorious flop and La Strada (1969), which opened on Broadway in New York City, closed after only one performance. Bart used his personal finances to try to rescue them, selling his rights to others of his works, including Oliver!, in order to generate capital. By 1972, Bart was bankrupt, with debts of £73,0000. He turned to drink, and a twenty-year period of depression ensued, from which he ultimately recovered, attending Alcoholics Anonymous[4].
He continued writing songs and themes for films, but his only real success in his later years was "Happy Endings", a 1989 advertising jingle for Abbey National.
In 1986 Bart received a special Ivor Novello Award for his life's achievement. Cameron Mackintosh, who owned half the rights to Oliver!, revived the musical at the London Palladium in 1994 in a version rewritten by Lionel Bart. Mackintosh gave Lionel a share of the production royalties. Lionel Bart was often publicly and romantically linked with Judy Garland or Alma Cogan.
Bart died in 1999 after a long hard struggle with cancer[4] and his funeral took place at Golders Green Crematorium.
A musical play based on Bart's life and using his songs, It's a Fine Life was staged at the Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch in 2006[5].
[edit] West End theatrical credits
Lock Up Your Daughters (1959) - lyricist
Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be (1959) - composer, lyricist
Oliver! (1960) - composer, lyricist, writer
Blitz! (1962) - composer, lyricist, writer
Maggie May (1964) - composer, lyricist
Twang! (1965) - composer, lyricist
La Strada (1969) - co-composer, co-lyricist
[edit] Work on Broadway
Oliver! (1963) - musical - composer, lyricist, and bookwriter - Tony Award for Best Composer and Lyricist, Tony Nominations for Best Musical and Best Author of a Musical
A return engagement of the original production played in 1965, and a revival in 1984.
La Strada (1969) - musical - composer and lyricis
Be Back Soon
Lionel Bart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Line up!
Single file!
Single file!
Slope arms
Right... right... Ol! Ol!
You can go,
But be back soon
You can go,
But while you're working.
This place,
I'm pacing round...
Until you're home,
...Safe and sound
Fare thee well,
But be back soon
Who can tell
Where danger's lurking?
Do not forget this tune
Be back soon.
How could we forget
How could we let
Our dear old f*gin worry?
We love him so.
We'll come back home
In, oh, such a great big
Hurry
It's him that pays the piper.
It's us that pipes his tune
So long, fare thee well
Pip! Pip! Cheerio!
We'll be back soon.
You can go
But be back soon
You can go,
But bring back plenty
Of pocket hankerchiefs
And you should be clever thieves.
Whip it quick,
and be back soon
There's a sixpence here for twenty
Ain't that a lovely tune?
Be back soon.
Our pockets'll hold
A watch of gold
That chimes upon the hour
A wallet fat
An old man's hat
The crown jewels from the tower
We know
The Bow Street Runners,
But they don't know this tune.
So long, fare thee well.
Pip! Pip! Cheerio!
We'll be back soon.
Cheerio, but be back soon.
I dunno, somehow I'll miss you
I love you, that why I
Say, "Cheerio"...
Not goodbye.
Don't be gone long
Be back soon.
Give me one long,
Last look...
Bless you.
Remember our old tune...
Be back soon!
We must disappear,
We'll be back here,
Today...
...Perhaps tomorrow.
We'll miss you too
It's sad but true
That parting is such sweet sorrow.
And when we're in the distance
You'll hear this
Whipered tune...
So long, fare thee well
Pip! Pip! Cheerio!
We'll be back soon
And when we're in the distance
You'll hear this
Whipered tune...
So long, fare thee well
Pip! Pip! Cheerio!
We'll be back soon
Cheerio, but be back soon.
I dunno, somehow I'll miss you
I love you, that why I
Say, "Cheerio"...
Not goodbye.
Don't be gone long
Be back soon.
Give me one long,
Last look...
Bless you.
Remember our old tune...
Be back soon!
We must disappear,
We'll be back here,
Today...
...Perhaps tomorrow.
We'll miss you too
It's sad but true
That parting is such sweet sorrow.
And when we're in the distance
You'll hear this
Whipered tune...
So long, fare thee well
Pip! Pip! Cheerio!
We'll be back soon
You'll hear this
Whipered tune...
So long, fare thee well
Pip! Pip! Cheerio!
We'll be back soon
And when we're in the distance
You'll hear this
Whipered tune...
So long, fare thee well
Pip! Pip! Cheerio!
We'll be back soon
So long, fare thee well
Pip! Pip! Cheerio!
We'll be back soon
So long, fare thee well
Pip! Pip! Cheerio!
We'll be back soon
The lyrics to Lionel Bart's song "Be Back Soon" narrate the final moments before a group of characters departs, potentially into danger, contrasting with the anxiety felt by those left behind. The song begins with military commands to line up, then the characters bid farewell to those staying behind. The song's tone is light and humorous, featuring playful exchanges and a note of camaraderie among the group.
The refrain repeating "Be back soon" is the central message of the song, a promise made between friends and loved ones in times of parting. It serves to convey the sense of hope that despite the danger and uncertainty that lies ahead, everyone gathered will eventually reunite. The song ends with an emotional farewell, expressed through a whispered tune that fades into the distance.
Overall, "Be Back Soon" is a fun and sentimental tribute to friendship and loyalty. It pairs-up the military-style aura of convey and the sentimentality of love and parting to form a humorous and catchy tune.
Line by Line Meaning
Line up!
Get in a straight line!
Single file!
Walk one behind the other!
Slope arms
Position your rifle on the shoulder!
Left... left
March left with your feet!
Right... right... Ol! Ol!
March right with your feet and shout the military catchphrase!
You can go,
You have the permission to leave!
But be back soon
But don't stay away too long!
You can go,
You have the permission to leave!
But while you're working.
But remember that you are still working!
This place,
This place where you are leaving from!
I'm pacing round...
I'm getting anxious and nervous!
Until you're home,
Until you come back home!
...Safe and sound
...Without any harm or danger.
Fare thee well,
Goodbye, wishing you well!
But be back soon
But please come back soon!
Who can tell
Who knows for sure!
Where danger's lurking?
Where danger might be waiting!
Do not forget this tune
Remember this song!
Be back soon.
Come back soon!
How could we forget
How could we possibly forget!
How could we let
How could we allow!
Our dear old f*gin worry?
Our dear old friend to worry!
We love him so.
We care about him a lot!
We'll come back home
We will return home!
In, oh, such a great big
In a very large and noticeable!
Hurry
Hurry up and come back!
It's him that pays the piper.
The one who is in charge pays the cost!
It's us that pipes his tune
It's us who follows what he wants!
Pip! Pip! Cheerio!
British way of saying goodbye!
You can go
You can leave!
But bring back plenty
But please bring back a lot!
Of pocket hankerchiefs
Of small handkerchiefs!
And you should be clever thieves.
You should be sly while you're stealing!
Whip it quick,
Steal it quickly!
and be back soon
And come back quickly!
There's a sixpence here for twenty
There is more value than what it seems!
Ain't that a lovely tune?
Isn't that a nice deal?
Our pockets'll hold
Our pockets will contain!
A watch of gold
A valuable gold watch!
That chimes upon the hour
That makes noise when the hour changes!
A wallet fat
A thick wallet full of money!
An old man's hat
An old man's hat that might be valuable!
The crown jewels from the tower
The valuable jewels kept in the tower!
We know
We are aware of!
The Bow Street Runners,
The police force!
But they don't know this tune.
But they don't know our secret plan!
Don't be gone long
Don't stay away too long!
Give me one long,
Give me a long!
Last look...
A last brief view!
Bless you.
I hope for the best for you!
Remember our old tune...
Remember our old song!
We must disappear,
We have to go away!
We'll be back here,
But we will return!
Today...
Maybe today!
...Perhaps tomorrow.
...Maybe tomorrow.
It's sad but true
It is unfortunate, but it is the reality!
That parting is such sweet sorrow.
Saying goodbye feels bittersweet!
And when we're in the distance
And when we are far away!
You'll hear this
You will listen to this!
Whipered tune...
Quiet, soft song!
So long, fare thee well
Goodbye, wish you well!
Pip! Pip! Cheerio!
British way of saying goodbye!
Cheerio, but be back soon.
Goodbye, but please come back soon!
I dunno, somehow I'll miss you
I don't know, but I will miss you!
I love you, that why I
I care about you, that's why I
Say, "Cheerio"...
Say goodbye with a British slang!
Not goodbye.
It's not goodbye, it's just farewell for a short time!
So long, fare thee well
Goodbye, wish you well!
Pip! Pip! Cheerio!
British way of saying goodbye!
Don't be gone long
Don't stay away too long!
Be back soon.
Please come back soon!
Give me one long,
Give me a long!
Last look...
A last brief view!
Bless you.
I hope for the best for you!
Remember our old tune...
Remember our old song!
We must disappear,
We have to go away!
We'll be back here,
But we will return!
Today...
Maybe today!
...Perhaps tomorrow.
...Maybe tomorrow.
It's sad but true
It is unfortunate, but it is the reality!
That parting is such sweet sorrow.
Saying goodbye feels bittersweet!
And when we're in the distance
And when we are far away!
You'll hear this
You will listen to this!
Whipered tune...
Quiet, soft song!
So long, fare thee well
Goodbye, wish you well!
Pip! Pip! Cheerio!
British way of saying goodbye!
Cheerio, but be back soon.
Goodbye, but please come back soon!
And when we're in the distance
And when we are far away!
You'll hear this
You will listen to this!
Whipered tune...
Quiet, soft song!
So long, fare thee well
Goodbye, wish you well!
Pip! Pip! Cheerio!
British way of saying goodbye!
You'll hear this
You will listen to this!
Whipered tune...
Quiet, soft song!
So long, fare thee well
Goodbye, wish you well!
Pip! Pip! Cheerio!
British way of saying goodbye!
So long, fare thee well
Goodbye, wish you well!
Pip! Pip! Cheerio!
British way of saying goodbye!
We'll be back soon
We will come back soon!
Writer(s): Lionel Bart
Contributed by Reagan K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Shannon marie
Rip ron moody i wish he was back