Mr. Bojangles

Mr Bojangles

Harry Belafonte

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 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

He spoke the name 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

Mr Bojangles, Mr Bojangles

Mr Bojangles dance

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