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
And he jumped so high he jumped 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 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 he 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 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 won't you dance