I knew a man Bojangles, and he'd dance for you In worn out shoes, with silver hair, a ragged shirt And baggy pants, the old soft shoe, jump so high Jump so high, then he'd lightly touch down I met him in a cell in New Orleans, I was down and out He looked to me to be the very eyes of age As he spoke right out, talked of life, talked of life Laughed, slapped his leg and stepped He said the name, 'Bojangles' and he danced a lick Across the cell, grabbed his pants, a better stance And wow, he jumped up high, 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 with those at minstrel shows and county fairs Throughout the South, he spoke with tears of fifteen years Of how his dog and him, had traveled about, his dog up and died He up and died, after twenty years he still grieves He said, "I dance now and every chance at honky-tonks for drinks and tips But most of time I spend behind these country 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 dance"
I knew a man Bojangles, and he'd dance for you In worn out shoes, with silver hair, a ragged shirt And baggy pants, the old soft shoe, jump so high Jump so high, then he'd lightly touch down I met him in a cell in New Orleans, I was down and out He looked to me to be the very eyes of age As he spoke right out, talked of life, talked of life Laughed, slapped his leg and stepped He said the name, 'Bojangles' and he danced a lick Across the cell, grabbed his pants, a better stance And wow, he jumped up high, 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 with those at minstrel shows and county fairs Throughout the South, he spoke with tears of fifteen years Of how his dog and him, had traveled about, his dog up and died He up and died, after twenty years he still grieves He said, "I dance now and every chance at honky-tonks for drinks and tips But most of time I spend behind these country 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 dance"
