I knew a man Bojangles and he danced for you, in worn out shoes
With silver hair a ragged shirt and baggy pants,
He did the old soft shoe
He jumped so high, jumped so high,
Then he lightly touched down
Mister Bojangles, Mister Bojangles,
Mister Bojangles, dance

I met him in a cell in New Orleans I was down and out
He looked at me to be the eyes of age as he spoke right out
He talked of life, talked of life, he laughed slapped his leg a step

Chorus

He said his name, Bojangles,
then he danced a lick, across the cell
He grabbed his pants a better stance oh he jumped up high,
He clicked his heels, he let go a laugh, let go a laugh,
Shook back his clothes all around

Chorus

He danced for those at minstrel shows and county fairs throughout the south
He spoke with tears of fifteen years how his dog and he traveled about
His dog up and died, up and died,
After twenty years he still grieved,

Chorus

He said, "I dance now at every chance in honky tonks for drinks and tips
But most of them I spend behind these county bars," He said, "I drinks a bit"
He shook his head and he shook his head,
I heard someone ask him please,

Chorus