(Jerry Jeff Walker) 



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

And 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 and he spoke right out

He talked of life, he talked of life, he laughed slapped his leg a step

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, oh, he up and died, after twenty years he still grieves

He said I dance now at every chance in honky tonks for drinks and for 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

Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles won't you dance?