[Verse]
I knew a man, Bojangles and he danced for you
In worn out shoes
With silver hair, a ragged shirt and baggy pants
The old soft shoes

[Pre-Chorus]
He jumped so high
Jumped so high
Then he'd lightly touch down

[Verse]
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

[Pre-Chorus]
He talked of life
Talked of life
Laugh and slap his legs instead

[Chorus]
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Dance
[Verse]
He said his name's Bojangles, then he danced a lick
Across the cell
He grabbed his pants, a better stance
Oh, how he jumped so high
He clicked his heels

[Pre-Chorus]
He let go a laugh
Let go a laugh
Shook back his clothes all around

[Verse]
He danced for those in minstrel shows and county fairs
Throughout the south
He spoke with tears of fifteen years
Oh, how his dog and he
Travelled about

[Pre-Chorus]
He dog up and died
Dog up and died
After fifteen years he still grieved

[Chorus]
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Dance
[Verse]
He said, "I dance now at every chance in honky tonk"
"For drinks and tips"
"But most the time I spend behind these country bars"
He said, "I drinks a bit

[Pre-Chorus]
He shook his head
And as he shook his head
I heard someone ask, "Please"

[Chorus]
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Dance
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Dance