(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!