(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!.