I knew a man, Bojangles, and he'd dance for you
In worn out shoes
With the silver hair, a ragged shirt and baggy pants
He would do the old soft shoe
He can jump so high, jump so high
And then he lightly touched down

I met him in a cell in New Orleans, I was
Well, I was down and out
He looked at me to be the very eyes of age
As he spoke right out
Talked of life, Lord, that man talked of life, and laughed
Slapped his leg a step

He said his name was Bojangles, then he danced a lick
Right across the cell
He grabbed his pants, took a better stance, jumped up high
That's when he clicked his heels
Then he let go a laugh, Lord, he let go a laugh
Shook back his clothes all around

That was Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles, Lord, he could dance

He told me of the times he worked with minstrel shows
Traveling around the South
He spoke with tears of 15 years how his dog and he
They used to travel about
But his dog up and died, dog up and died
And after 20 years he still grieved

He said, I dance now at every chance at honky tonks
For my drinks and tips
But most the time I spend behind these county bars
You see son, I drinks a bit
Then he shook his head, Lord when he shook his head
I could swear, I heard someone say please, please, please

Mr. Bojangles, ah Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles, come back and dance, dance, please dance
Come on and dance now

Oh, Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles, dance
Come back and dance, Mr. Bojangles

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