"Not While I'm Around" Lyrics

Tobias:
(Coming closer, hovering, very earnest)
[Spoken]
You know, mum, there's nothing I wouldn't do for you. It there was
a monster, or an ogre, or anything bad like that wot was after you,
I'd rip it apart. With my bare fists, I would.

Mrs. Lovett: [Spoken]
What a sweet child it is.

Tobias: [Spoken]
Or even if it was just a man...

Mrs. Lovett: [Spoken]
(Somewhat uneasy)
A man, dear?

Tobias: [Spoken]
(Exaggeratedly conspirational)
A man wot was bad, wot might be luring you all unbeknownst
into his evil deeds, like.

Mrs. Lovett: [Spoken]
(Even more wary)
What is this? What are you talking about?

Tobias:
Nothing's gonna harm you,
Not while I'm around.

Mrs. Lovett: [Spoken]
Of course not, dear, and why should it?

Tobias:
Nothing's gonna harm you,
No, sir,
Not while I'm around.

Mrs. Lovett: [Spoken]
And what do you mean a "man"?

Tobias:
Demons are prowling
Everywhere
Nowadays.

Mrs. Lovett: [Spoken]
(Somewhat relieved, patting his head)
And so they are, dear.

Tobias:
I'll send 'em howling,
I don't care—
I got ways.

Mrs. Lovett: [Spoken]
Of course you do. What a sweet, affectionate child it is.

Tobias:
No one's gonna hurt you,
No one's gonna dare.

Mrs. Lovett: [Spoken]
I know what Toby deserves...

Tobias:
Others can desert you—
Not to worry—
Whistle, I'll be there.

Mrs. Lovett: [Spoken]
Here, have a nice bon bon.
(Starts to reach for her purse, but Tobias stays her hand
in adoration)

Tobias:
Demons'll charm you
With a smile
For a while,
But in time,
Nothing can harm you,
Not while I'm around.
(Music continues. She looks at him uneasily)
Not to worry, not to worry,
I may not be smart, but I ain't dumb.
I can do it,
Put me to it,
Show me something I can overcome.
Not to worry, mum.

Being close and being clever
Ain't like being true,
I don't need to, I won't never
Hide a thing from you,
Like some.

Mrs. Lovett: [Spoken]
Now Toby, dear, haven't we had enough foolish chatter? Let's
just sit nice and quiet for a bit. Here.
(She pulls out the chatelaine purse, which is now immediately
recognizable to the audience as Pirelli's money purse, and
starts to fumble in it for a bon bon)

Tobias: [Spoken]
(Suddenly excited, pointing)
That! That's Signor Pirellis' purse!

Mrs. Lovett: [Spoken]
(Stalling for time)
What's that? What was that, dear?

Tobias: [Spoken]
That proves it! What I've been thinking. That's his purse.

Mrs. Lovett: [Spoken]
(Concealing what is now almost panic)
Silly boy! That's just a little something Mr. T got me for
my birthday.

Tobias: [Spoken]
Mr. Todd gave it to you? And how did he get it? How
did he get it?

Mrs. Lovett: [Spoken]
Bought it, dear. In the pawn shop, dear.
(To distract him, she lifts the unfinished muffler on its
needles)
Come on now.
[Sung]
Nothing's gonna harm you,
Not while I'm around!
Nothing's gonna harm you, Toby,
Not while I'm around.

Tobias: [Spoken]
You don't understand—
[Sung]
Two quid was in it,
Two or three—
[Spoken]
The guvnor giving up his purse—with two quid in it?
[Sung]
Not for a minute!
Don't you see?
[Spoken]
It was in Mr. Todd's parlor that the guvnor disappeared.

Mrs. Lovett: [Spoken]
(With a weak laugh)
Boys and their fancies! What will we think of next! Here, dear.
Sit here by your Aunt Nellie like a good boy and look at your
lovely muffler. How warm it's going to keep you when the days
draw in. And it's so becoming on you.

Tobias:
Demons'll charm you
With a smile
For a while,
But in time,
Nothing's gonna harm you,
Not while I'm around!