Mr bojangles
Nitty Gritty Band Lyrics
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In worn out shoes
Silver hair, a ragged shirt and baggy pants
The old soft shoe
He jumped so high
He jumped so high
And then he'd lightly touch down
I met him in a cell in New Orleans, I was
Down and out
He looked to me to be the eyes of age
As the smoke ran out
He talked of life
He talked of life
He laughed, clicked his heels and stepped
He said his name "Bojangles", and he danced a lick
Across the cell
He grabbed his pants and feathered stance
Oh, he jumped so high
Then he clicked his heels
He let go a laugh
He let go a laugh
Shook back his clothes all around
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Dance
He danced for those in minstrel shows and county fairs
Throughout the south
He spoke with tears of fifteen years how his dog and him
Traveled about
The dog up and died, he up and died
After twenty years he still grieves
He said, "I dance now at every chance in honky tonks
For drinks and tips
But most the 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"
Please
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Dance
The first thing that strikes us about "Mr. Bojangles" by the Nitty Gritty Band is its sorrowful and melancholic theme. The song is about a man who was a street performer in the South during the early twentieth century. The artist, Jerry Jeff Walker, actually met the original Bojangles while he was incarcerated in a New Orleans jail for public intoxication. This man was an old, silver-haired, roadside dancer who had traveled for many years with his loyal dog. The song tells the story of this man and his dog as he danced for anyone who cared to watch.
The lyrics convey a sense of nostalgia and loss. The character of Bojangles may have once had a successful career and traveled the country performing in minstrel shows and county fairs, but now he finds himself forgotten and alone in a jail cell. He reflects on his life, his love for his dog, and the ups and downs of his career. Despite his situation and his dog's death, Bojangles continued to dance in honky-tonks for small change and drinks. The song expresses through its lyrics and melody the importance of music, dance, and performance as a means of coping with hardship and loneliness.
In conclusion, "Mr. Bojangles" is a moving song with a profound sense of loss, nostalgia, and the transformative power of music and dance. It conveys the idea that even in the darkest moments of our lives, we can find grace and meaning in the beauty of art.
Line by Line Meaning
I knew a man "Bojangles", and he danced for you
I met a man named "Bojangles" who used to dance for people
In worn out shoes
He wore shoes that were old and falling apart
Silver hair, a ragged shirt and baggy pants
He had gray hair, a tattered shirt, and loose-fitting pants
The old soft shoe
He would perform a smooth and light dance called the "soft shoe"
He jumped so high
He could leap very high into the air
And then he'd lightly touch down
And then he would land gracefully
I met him in a cell in New Orleans, I was Down and out
I encountered him while I was in jail and feeling hopeless
He looked to me to be the eyes of age
He appeared to be wise and experienced
As the smoke ran out
As he finished smoking his cigarette
He talked of life
He spoke about his experiences and observations of life
He laughed, clicked his heels and stepped
He chuckled and then performed a fancy dance move
He said his name "Bojangles", and he danced a lick
He introduced himself as "Bojangles" and then performed a dance move
Across the cell
Within the confines of the jail cell
He grabbed his pants and feathered stance
He adjusted his pants and then posed in a certain way
Oh, he jumped so high
He was able to leap very high into the air again
Then he clicked his heels
He slapped his shoes together for an added sound effect
He let go a laugh
He released a chuckle
Shook back his clothes all around
He shook his clothes to get comfortable
He danced for those in minstrel shows and county fairs
He would perform for audiences at events like traveling fairs
Throughout the south
Throughout the Southern United States
He spoke with tears of fifteen years how his dog and him
He spoke emotionally about a fifteen year period when he and his dog traveled together
Traveled about
Moved around from place to place
The dog up and died, he up and died
The dog suddenly died, which caused him great sadness
After twenty years he still grieves
Even twenty years later, he is still mourning the loss of his beloved dog
He said, "I dance now at every chance in honky tonks
He explained that he now dances whenever he gets the opportunity, particularly at less prestigious venues like honky tonk bars
For drinks and tips
He dances for refreshments and gratuities
But most the time I spend behind these county bars
However, he spends most of his time in jail
'Cause I drinks a bit"
Because he enjoys consuming alcohol
He shook his head
He shook his head in disagreement
And as he shook his head
While shaking his head
I heard someone ask him "Please"
Someone else pleaded with him
Please
An entreaty or request
Mr. Bojangles
A nickname for the man who used to dance
Dance
An invitation or encouragement to resume dancing
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jerry Jeff Walker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind