Jerry Jeff Walker - Mr. Bojangles (original mono single version) lyrics

I knew a man Bojangles and he'd dance for you In worn out shoes Silver hair and ragged shirt and baggy pants He did 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 I was down and out He looked to me to be the eyes of age As he spoke right out He talked of life He talked of life He laughed slapped his leg a step He said the name Bojangles and he danced a lick across the cell He grabbed his pants a better stance then he jumped so high He clicked his heels He let go a laugh oh 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 with tears of fifteen years how his dog and him traveled about His dog up and died He up and died After twenty years he still grieves He said I dance now at every chance in honky-tonks for drinks and tips But most o' the time I spend behind these county bars Hell 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 Dance