i knew a man bojangles
and he'd dance for you
in worn out shoes
silver hair and ragged shirt
and baggy pants
the old soft shoe
he jumped so high
he jumped so high
and 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 eyes of age
as the smoke ran out
he talked of life
talked of life
he laughed clicked his heels and stepped
he said his name bojangles
and he danced a lick
across the cell
he grabbed his pants and favorite stance
fore he jumped so high
and then 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 through tears of fifteen years
how his dog and him
traveled about
the dog up and died
he up and died
after twenty years he still grieves
he said i dance now at
every chance in honky tonk
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 him please
pleeease
mr bojangles
mr bojangles
mr bojangles
dance
