Lyrics:

(Words by Jack Yellen/Milton Ager)



Well, I went down yonder in Louisville

Lived a cat named Big Bad Bill

I wants ta tell ya

Ah, the cat was rough and tough he would strut his stuff



Had the whole town scared to death

When he walked by, they all held their breath

He's a fightin' man, sure enough

And then Bill got himself a wife, now he leads a different life



Big Bad Bill is Sweet William now

Married life done changed him somehow

He's the man the town used to fear

Now they all call him Sweet Papa Willy Dear

Stronger than Sampson I declare

'Til a brown-skinned woman's bobbed his hair



Big Bad Bill don't fight anymore (No, no, no)

He's doin the dishes an' moppin' up that floor (Yes he is)

Well he used to go out drinkin' lookin' for a fight

Now he gotta see that sweet woman every night

Big Bad Bill is Sweet William now



Aw, play it boys



(Clarinet Solo)



Aw, yeah!



Whoo!

I likes that, yeah ("Yeah," say I)



Ah, y-well, Big Bad Bill don't fight anymore (No, he don't)

He's doin' the dishes 'n moppin' up that floor (Yes he is)

Well he used to go out drinkin' lookin' for a fight

Now he gotta see that sweet woman every night



Big Bad Bill is Sweet William now (Doin' the dishes)

Big Bad Bill is Sweet William now (Moppin' up that floor!)

Big Bad Bill is Sweet William now



Cha!

Yeah!