Mr Bojangles

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 his 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 fifteen years

How his dog and he

They just traveled about

But his dog up and died

Dog up and died

And after twenty years he still grieves

He said "I dance

"Now at every chance n 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, dance

Come back and please dance

Mr. Bojangles

Mr. Bojangles,

Mr. Bojangles

Dance

Why can't you come back and dance?

Please, Bojangles

Dance

Again, Bojangles