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 He'd jump so high, yes he'd jump so high, then he'd lightly touch down I met him in a cell in New Orleans, I was So down and out He looked to me to be the eyes of age As he spoke right out He talked of life, yes he talked of life. He laughed, clicked heels and he stepped Mister Bojangles Mister Bojangles Mister Bojangles Dance! He danced for those at minstrel shows and county fairs Throughout the South He spoke through tears of fifteen years how his dog and him Traveled about His dog up and died, yes he up and died, after twenty years he still grieved He said, I dance now at every chance in honky tonks For drinks and tips But most my time I spend behind these county bars Cause I drinks a bit He shook his head and as he shook his head I heard someone ask him, please Mister Bojangles Mister Bojangles Mister Bojangles Dance!