MR. BOJANGLES
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Lyrics

I knew a man, Bojangles and he danced for you
The singer knew a man named Bojangles who would dance for anyone who wanted to watch.

In worn out shoes
Bojangles was often seen wearing ragged shoes that had seen better days.

Silver hair, a ragged shirt and baggy pants
Despite his ragged appearance, Bojangles had distinctive silver hair and wore baggy pants with a tattered shirt.

The old soft shoe
Bojangles was known for his signature dance move, the soft shoe.

He jumped so high
Bojangles was able to jump exceptionally high while he danced.

Then he'd lightly touch down
After jumping, Bojangles would come back down to the ground with a light step.

I met him in a cell in New Orleans, I was down and out
The singer met Bojangles in a jail cell in New Orleans when they were experiencing hard times.

He looked to me to be the eyes of age, As he spoke right out
Bojangles had the appearance of a wise elderly man and spoke openly with the artist.

He talked of life
Bojangles shared his thoughts and reflections on life during their conversation.

He laughed, clicked his heels and stepped
Bojangles had a sense of humor and humorously clicked his heels while he danced.

He said his name, Bojangles and he danced a lick, Across the cell
Bojangles introduced himself and danced a small routine in the jail cell.

He grabbed his pants, a better stance, Oh, he jumped so high
Bojangles adjusted his pants to a better position before he jumped high while dancing.

Then he clicked his heels
Bojangles clicked his heels together once again during his performance.

He let go a laugh
Bojangles let out a joyous laugh during his dance.

Pushed back his clothes all around
Bojangles moved his clothing aside while dancing to allow for more freedom of movement.

Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles, Dance
A call to Bojangles to continue dancing with his signature moves.

He danced for those in minstrel shows and county fairs, Throughout the south
Bojangles performed his dance to audiences at various events throughout the southern United States.

He spoke with tears of fifteen years how his dog and him, Traveled about
Bojangles shared with sadness how he and his dog had been traveling together for fifteen years but the dog had since died.

The dog up and died, He up and died
The dog had died suddenly and unexpectedly, causing Bojangles to feel immense grief.

After twenty years he still grieves
Despite two decades having passed since the dog's death, Bojangles still mourned him deeply.

He said I dance now at every chance in honky tonks, For drinks and tips
Bojangles now dances for a living in local bars, receiving payments in drinks and tips.

But most the time I spend behind these county bars, He said I drinks a bit
However, Bojangles spends much of his time behind bars due to run-ins with the law and has a tendency to drink.

He shook his head, And as he shook his head
Bojangles shook his head in response to the situation at hand.

I heard someone ask him please, Please
Someone requested that Bojangles continue dancing after his performance.

Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles, Dance
The singer once again calls to Bojangles to dance with his unique style.