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