Mr. Bojangles

I knew a man Bojangles and he'd dance for you

In worn out shoes

Silver hair, ragged shirt and baggy pants

That old soft shoe

He'd jump so high, he'd jump so high

Then he'd lightly touch down

Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles

Dance

I met him in a cell in New Orleans

I was down and out

He looked to me to be the eyes of age

As he spoke right out

He talked of life, he talked of life

Laughing slapped his leg stale

Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles

Dance

He said the name Bojangles and he danced a lick

All across the cell

He grabbed his pants for a better stance

Oh, he jumped so high and he clicked up his heels

He let go a laugh, he let go a laugh

Shook back his clothes all around

Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles

Dance, yeah, dance

He danced for those at minstrel shows and county fairs

Throughout the south

He spoke with tears of 15 years of how his dog and him

Just traveled all about

His dog up and died, he up and died

And after 20 years he still grieves

Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles

Dance

He said, "I dance now at every chance at honky-tonks

For drinks and tips

But most of the time I spend behind these county bars

Because I drinks a bit"

He shook his head, and he shook his head

I heard someone ask him, "Please

Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles

Dance, dance

Mr. Bojangles, dance"