As Long As He Needs Me

As Long As He Needs Me lyrics

Lyrics to As Long as He Needs Me, sung by Nancy in the musical Oliver!  It’s sung by Nancy, to herself, justifying staying with her vicious, abusive boyfriend, Bill.  It’s quite heartbreaking, as Nancy is one of the nicest people in the musical.  And in a real sense, this foreshadows her death.

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,
Though people say I must,
I got to stay true just
As long as he needs me.

(Reprise)

He doesn’t act as though he cares,
But deep inside I know he cares,
And that is why I’m tied,
Right by his side.

As long as he needs me,
I know where I must be,
But will he never see,
That someone else needs me?

As long as life is long,
I’ll love him, right or wrong,
But something just as strong,
Says someone else needs me.

A child with no one,
To take his part,
I’ll take his part, Bill,
But cross my heart

I won’t betray your trust,
Though people say I must,
My heart will stay true, just,
As long as Bill needs me!