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

I met him in a cell in New Orleans he 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 dog 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 drink a bit

He shook his head  he shook his head and I heard someone ask please

Mr Bojangles Mr Bojangles Mr Bojangles oh dance oh dance