Mr. Bojangles (With Prologue)

I knew a man, Bojangles and he dance for you In worn out shoes Silver hair and ragged shirt and baggy pants The Old Soft Shoe He jumped so high, he jumped so high And then he lightly touched down 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 the smoke ran out He talked of life, he talked of life He laughed, clicked his heels and stepped He said his name Bojangles and he danced a lick Across the cell He grabbed his pants and feathered stance Oh, he jumped so high And then he clicked his heels He let go a laugh, let go a laugh Shook back his clothes all around Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles Mr. Bojangles, dance He danced for those at minstrel shows and county fairs Throughout the South He spoke through tears of 15 years how his dog and him Traveled about The dog up and died, he up and died After 20 years he still grieves He said I dance now at every chance in honky tonk For drinks and tips But most of the time I spend behind these county bars 'Cause I drinks a bit He shook his head, and as he shook his head I heard someone ask him please Please Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles Mr. Bojangles, dance