Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now)

[Verse 1]
In the town of Louisville they got a man called Big Bad Bill
I want to tell you, he sure was tough, brother he was rough
He had folks all scared to death, when he walked by they held their breath
He was a fighting man, sure enough
Bill took himself a wife, now he leads a different life

[Verse 2]
Big Bad Bill is Sweet William now
Married life done changed him somehow
He's the man they all used to fear, now the people call him Willie dear
He was stronger than Samson I declare
Till the brown skinned Delilah bobbed his hair

[Verse 3]
Big Bad Bill don't fight any more
He washes dishes and he mops the floor
He used to spend his evenings looking for a fight
Now he's gotta see his mama every night
Big Bad Bill is Sweet William now

[Bridge]
When Bill was in his prime he sure was one bad boy
A great big 44 that was his favorite toy
He had a huge bass voice I never will forget
But now he sings soprano in the church quartet

He weighed two hundred pounds, he was as hard as nails
He specialized in shooting cops and breaking jails
But let me tell you brother, something must be wrong
When a darkie throws away his dice to play mahjong

[Piano Solo]

[Outro]
He was that red hot papa that you heard about
But an asbestos mama put his fire out
And Big Bad Bill is Sweet William now