Oh I knew a man, Bojangles and he danced for you In worn out shoes With silver hair and ragged shirt and baggy pants The old soft shoe He jumped so high, he jumped so high Then he’d lightly touch down
Mr. Bojangles, 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 He laughed slapped his leg a step
Mr Bojangles, Mr Bojangles Mr Bojangles dance
He spoke the name’s Bojangles then he danced a lick Across the cell He grabbed his pants, a better stance Oh he jumped so high, he clicked his heels He let go a laugh, He let go a laugh Shook back his clothes all around
He danced for those at minstrel shows and county fairs Throughout the south He spoke with tears of fifteen years how his dog and him Traveled about His dog up and died, His dog up and died After 20 years he still grieves
He said I dance now at every chance in Honky tonks For drinks and tips But most 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 please Mr Bojangles, Mr Bojangles Mr Bojangles oh dance