Mr. Bojangles

I knew a man "Bojangles", and he danced for you In worn out shoes Silver hair, a ragged shirt and baggy pants The old soft shoe 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 As the smoke ran out He talked of life He talked of life He laughed, clicked his heels and stepped He said his name "Bojangles", and he danced a lick Across the cell He grabbed his pants and feathered stance Oh, he jumped so high Then he clicked his heels He let go a laugh He 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 how his dog and him Traveled about The 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 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" Please Mr. Bojangles Mr. Bojangles Mr. Bojangles Dance --- Mr. Bojangles - The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band