Lyrics
I knew a man, Bojangles, and he danced for you
Worn out shoes
With silver hair, a ragged shirt and baggy pants
The old soft shoe
He jumped so high, 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
As he spoke right out
He talked of life, he talked of life
He laughed, slapped his leg and stepped
He said the name, Bojangles, then he danced a lick
Across the cell
Grabbed his pants, a better stance and whoa he jumped up high
Clicked his heels
He let go a laugh, let go a laugh
Shook back his clothes all around
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles, dance
He danced for those in minstrel shows and county fairs
Throughout the South
He spoke with tears of fifteen years of how his dog and him
Traveled about
His dog up and died, he up and died
After twenty years he still grieves
Said "I dance now at every chance in honky-tonks
For drinks and tips
But most the time I spend behind these county bars
'Cause I drinks a bit"
Shook his head and as he shook his head
I heard someone ask "Please
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles, dance"
Woo, doo, doo-doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo
Doo-doo, doo, doo, doo-doo
Oo, doo, doo, doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo, doo
Doo-doo, doo-doo, do, doo-doo, doo, doo-doo-doo
Oo, um, um, um, wah, wah, wah-wah, um, wah-wah, um-um
Oo, doo, doo, doo-doo-doo, doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo, doo
