Mr. Bojangles

I knew a man, Bojangles, and he danced for you

In worn out shoes

With silver hair, a ragged shirt, and baggy pants

He would do the old soft shoe

He could jump so high, jump so high

And then he'd lightly touch down

I met him in a cell in New Orleans, I was

Well, I was down and out

He looked to me to be the very eyes of age

As he spoke right out

He talked of life, Lord, he talked of life

Laughed, slapped his leg a step

He said his name was Bojangles, then he danced a lick

Right across the cell

He grabbed his pants, took a better stance, jumped up high

That's when he clicked his heels

Then he let go a laugh, Lord, he let go a laugh

Shook back his clothes all around

That was Mr. Bojangles

Mr. Bojangles

Mr. Bojangles

Lord, he could dance

We told me of the times he worked for minstrel shows

Traveling throughout the South

He spoke with tears of fifteen years how his dog and he

They just travelled about

But his dog up and died, dog up and died

And after twenty years, he still grieved

He said I danced now at every chance in honky-tonks

For my drinks and tips

But most the time I spend behind these county bars

You see son, I drinks a bit

Then he shook his head, Lord, when he shook his head

I could swear I hear someone say please

Mr. Bojangles

Mr. Bojangles

Mr. Bojangles

Come back and dance, dance, dance, please, dance

Mr. Bojangles

Mr. Bojangles

Mr. Bojangles

Dance, why can't you come back and dance?

Please, Bojangles, mmm, dance

Again, Bojangles