Introducing The Big Bad Wolf
The Big Bad Wolf started life as a Walt Disney character and made his debut in the animation 'The Three Little Pigs', released in 1933. His original name was the Big Old Wolf but the singers of the soundtrack kept singing Big Bad Wolf, as it trips off the tongue better, and the new name eventually stuck.
The story starts with the three little pigs, Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Pig, leaving their mother to set off into the wide world. Big Bad, whose favourite phrase is Pigs are mighty good eatin', comes across the pigs. Having mighty big lungs he huffs and he puffs and he blows down the houses of Fiddler and Fifer, who are forced to take refuge with Practical Pig. But Practical Pig made his house of brick and although Big Bad tries hard he cannot blow it down. So Big Bad does some lateral thinking and decides to climb up to the roof and shin down the chimney. Unfortunately while descending he falls into the boiling pan in the fire below and perishes.
Big Bad's next role (like all animations he has the power to bring himself back to life) came a year later when he starred in his own animation, 'The Big Bad Wolf'. Once again Big Bad finds himself pitted against the porkie three, especially Practical Pig, the intelligent one, as Fiddler and Fifer are no big challenge. In this animation the three pigs warn Little Red Riding Hood to look out for the Big Bad Wolf. But Big Bad nevertheless manages to hoodwink his way into Little Red's cottage and the rest is animation history.
Big Bad was joined by his three wolf cub sprogs for his third appearance in 1936 in 'The Three Little Wolves'. Big Bad and his gleeful cubs set about catching the little pigs. Big Bad dresses up as Bo-Peep and his brood masquerade as sheep. As usual, Practical Pig saves the situation, this time by turning his home-made 'wolf pacifier' on Big Bad.
Despite his name the Big Bad Wolf is a winsome cunning rogue. Trouble is he is always outmanoeuvred by trying to go one step too far in the face of Practical Pig's determination to out do him.
Big Bad Wolf's Lyrics
From the animation 'The Three Little Pigs'. Lyrics by Frank Churchill and Ann Ronell, sung to music by Frank Churchill.
Who's Afraid Of The Big Bad Wolf
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf
Big bad wolf, big bad wolf?
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf?
Tra la la la la
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf
Big bad wolf, big bad wolf?
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf?
Tra la la la la
Long ago there were three pigs
Little handsome piggy-wigs
For the big, bad very big very bad wolf
They didn't give three figs
Number one was very gay
And he built his house of hay
With a hey hey toot
He blew on his flute
And he played around all day
Number two was fond of jigs
And so he built his house with twigs
Heigh diddle-diddle
He played on his fiddle
And danced with lady pigs
Number three said "Nix on tricks
I will built my house with bricks"
He had no chance
To sing and dance
'Cause work and play don't mix
Ha ha ha! The two little
Do little pigs just winked and laugh, ha ha!
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf
Big bad wolf, big bad wolf?
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf?
Tra la la la la
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf
Big bad wolf, big bad wolf?
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf?
Tra la la la la
Came the day when fate did frown
And the wolf blew into town
With a gruff "puff-puff" he puffed just enough
And the hay house fell right down
One and two were scared to death
Of the big bad wolfie's breath
"By the hair of your chin-ny-chin,
I'll blow you in"
And the twig house answered yes
No one left but number Three
To save the piglet family
When they knock
He fast unlocked
And said "Come in with me!"
Now they all were safe inside
And the bricks hurt wolfie's pride
So, he slid down the chimney
And, oh, by Jimney
In the fire he was fried
Ha ha ha! The three little
Free little pigs rejoice and laughed, ha ha!
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf
Big bad wolf, big bad wolf?
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf?
Tra la la la la
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf
Big bad wolf, big bad wolf?
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf?
Tra la la la la!
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