I knew a man Bojangles and he'd dance for you in
worn out shoes
Silver hair, ragged shirt and baggy pants, that
old soft shoe
He'd jump so high, he'd jump so high, will he
likely touch down ?
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 eye of age as he spoke
right out
He talked of life, he talked of life, laughing
slapped his leg stale
Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles, dance.

He said the name Bojangles and he danced a lick
all across the cell
He grabbed his pants for a better stance, oh he
jumped so high and he clicked
up his heels
He let go laugh, he let go laugh, shook back his
clothes all around
Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles, dance, yeah,
dance.

He danced for those at minstrel shows and county
fairs throughtout the south
He spoke with tears of 15 years of how his dog
and him but just travelled all about
Hid dog up and died, he up and died, and after 20
years he still grieves
Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles, dance.

He said I dance now at every chance at
honky-tonks for drinks and tips
But most of the time I spend behind these county
bars,Ocause I drink so bitO
He shook his head, yes he shook his head, I heard
someone ask him, OpleaseO,
Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles, dance, dance, Mr
Bojangles, dance.