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

He jumped so high, jumped so high … then 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, he talked of life … he laughed slapped his leg a step

He said his name Bojangles, then he danced a lick … across the cell

He grabbed his pants, a better stance, oh he jumped so high … and 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 at minstrel shows and county fairs … across the south

He talked with tears of fifteen years how his dog and he … traveled about

His dog up and died, he up and died .. after twenty years he still grieved

He said “I dance at every chance in honky-tonks … for drinks and tips

But most the time I spend behind these county bars … I drinks a bit”

He shook his head, and as he shook his head, I heard someone ask “please, please”.

Mr. Bojangles … Mr. Bojangles … Mr. Bojangles … dance