Knew a man Bojangles and he danced for you In worn out shoes Silver hair ragged shirt and baggy pants The old soft shoe He jumped so high He jumped so high And he'd lightly touched down Mr Bojangles Mr Bojangles Mr Bojangles dance Met him in a cell New Orleans he was down and out He looked to me to be the eyes of age as he He spoke right out He talked about life He talked of life He lightly slapped his leg instead He said the name Bojangles and he danced a lick Across the cell He grabbed his pants and took a stance And he jumped so high He clicked his heels And he let go a laugh He let go a laugh Shook his clothes all around Mr Bojangles Mr Bojangles Mr Bojangles dance We danced for those at minstrel shows and county fairs Throughout the south We spoke in tears of fifteen years How his dog and him They travelled about The dog up and died He up and died After twenty years he still grieves They said I dance now at every chance and honky tonks For drinks and tips But most the time I spend behind these county bars Cause I drinks a bit And he shook his head now He shook his head And I heard someone ask please Mr Bojangles Mr Bojangles hey Mr Bojangles dance