[Whistling] 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 Down and out He looked to me to be the very eyes of age As the smoke ran out Talked of life, lord that man talked of life Laughed, clicked his heels and stepped He said his name was "Bojangles" And he danced a lick Right across the cell He grabbed his pants Took a bitter stance, Jumped up high That's when he Clicked his heels Then he let go a laugh Lord, he'd let go a laugh
Shook back his clothes all around Mr. Bojangles Mr. Bojangles Mr. Bojangles Dance He told me of the times He worked with minstrel shows Throughout The South He spoke with tears Of fifteen years How his dog and he They travel all about The dog up and died Dog up and died And after twenty years he still grieved He said, "I dance Now and every chance at Honkey-tonks, For drinks and tips. But most of the time I spend behind these country bars, You see son, I drinks a bit." He shook his head As he shook his head I heard someone Say please, please, please A-Mr. Bojangles Mr. Bojangles Mr. Bojangles Dance [Whistle]