Margaret Young — 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