A popular song from 1924.
Words by Jack Yellen.
Music by Milton Ager.
Sheet music provided by Laurence Rubenstein:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- In the town of Louisville
They’ve 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 fightin’ man sure enough
Bill took himself a wife
Now he leads a different life
Chorus
Big Bad Bill is sweet William now
Married life has changed him somehow
He’s the man that they all used to fear
Now the people call him Willie dear
He was stronger than Samson, I declare
Till a brown skinned Delilah bobbed his hair
Big Bad Bill don’t fight any more
Washes dishes and he mops the floor
He used to spend his evenings looking for a fight
Now he’s got to see his mama ev’ry night
‘Cause Big Bad Bill is Sweet William now
- I must say it’s mighty strange
To see the way that man did change
That roarin’ lion now is a lamb
Shut up like a clam
He don’t smoke or drink or chew
Or cuss the way he used to do
He answers mama “Yes” or “No, ma’am”
And I hear neighbors say
Bill is learning to crochet
Sung here by Fred Feild: