[Verse 1]
I knew a man Bojangles
And he danced with you
In worn-out shoes
With silver hair, a ragged shirt, and baggy pants

[Verse 2]
He did the old soft shoes
He jumped so high, jumped so high
Then he lightly touched down

[Verse 3]
I met him in a cell in New Orleans, Oh, I was so down and out
He looked at me to be the eyes of the age
But, don't you know that he spoke right out
He talked of life, talked of life
Then he laughed slapped his leg a step

[Verse 4]
He said his name, Bojangles
Then he danced a lick
Don't you know
He went right across the cell, ha
He grabbed his pants to
Get a better stance, oh, He jumped so high
Lord, and he clicked his heels
He let go a laugh, ah ha ha, He let go a laugh
Shook back his clothes all around
[Bridge]
Mister Bojangles
Mister Bojangles
Mister Bojangles, dear

[Verse 5]
He danced for those at minstrel shows and country fairs
He danced throughout the South
He spoke with tears of fifteen years how his dog and he
He told me how they travelled about
His dog up and died, he just up and died
And after twenty years, Bojangles still grieved

[Verse 6]
He said, "I dance now at every chance in honky tonks, ha
But I always dance for my drink and tips
'Cause most of the time, I spend behind these county bars
'Cause, you know, I drinks a bit."
Then he shook his head and as he shook his head
I heard someone ask "Please, please, please."

[Bridge]
Mister Bojangles
Mister Bojangles
Mister Bojangles
Come on and dance
[Outro]
Mister Bojangles
Hey, Listen to me, Mister Bojangles
Mister Bojangles
I wanna ask you, please
Please Mister Bojangles
Come on, come on and do your little dance