[Verse 1]
I knew a man
"Bojangles" and
He'd dance for you
In worn out shoes
With silver hair
A ragged shirt
And baggy pants
The old Soft Shoe

[Refrain]
He jumped so high
Jumped so high
The he'd lightly touch down

[Verse 2]
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

[Refrain 2]
He talked of life
He talked of life
He laughed and slapped his leg a step
[Chorus]
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Dance

[Verse 3]
He said his name
"Bojangles" then
He danced a lick
Across the cell
He grabbed his pants
A better stance
Oh, how he jumped
And he clicked his heels

[Refrain 3]
He let go a laugh
He let go a laugh
Shook back his clothes all around

[Verse 4]
He's danced for those
At minstrel shows
And county fairs
Throughout the South
He spoke with tears
Of fifteen years
How his dog and he
Travelled about
[Refrain 4]
But then his dog, his dog up and died
He just up and died
And after twenty years he still grieved

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

[Verse 5]
He said, "I dance
Now at every chance
In honky-tonks
For drinks and tips
But most of the time
I spend behind
These county bars"
He said, "I drinks a bit"

[Refrain 5]
He shook his head
And as he shook his head
I heard someone ask, "Please?
[Chorus]
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Dance"

[Outro]
Dance