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
Oh, 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
He spoke the name, Bojangles, then he danced a lick
Cross 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
Now Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles dance
Oh, he danced for those at minstrel shows and county fairs
Throughout the south
He spoke with tears of 15 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, "And I'll dance 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
Now Mr. Bojangles
Now Mr. Bojangles
Now Mr. Bojangles, oh, won't you dance?
