i knew a man bojangles and he’d dance for you
in 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 lightly touched 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 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 spread his stance
oh he jumped so high and then he clicked his heels
he let go a laugh let go a laugh
and 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 through tears of 5 years how his dog and him
traveled about
the dog up and died he up and died
and after 0 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
mr bojangles mr bojangles
mr bojangles dance
Artist: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Year: 1970
Decade: 70s
Language: en
Word Count: 123