I knew a man
"Bojangles" and he'd dance 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
He laugh-slapped his leg in step
He said the name was "Bojangles"
And 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
He told me of the times he'd worked
For Minstrel Shows
Traveling throughout the South
He spoke with tears of 15 years
How his dog and he
They just traveled about
But his dog up and died
Dog up and died
And after 20 years he still grieves
He said, "I dance, now at every chance in honky-tonks
For my drinks and tips
But most of the time I spend behind these county bars
You see son, I, I drinks a bit"
Then he shook his head
Lord, when he shook his head
I could swear I heard 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
Hmm, dance again, Bojangles
