Mr. Bojangles (Live) [05/09/69 The Nowhere Coffeehouse, Cincinnati, OH] Songtext
von John Denver

I knew a man Bojangles, and he′d dance for you, in worn-out shoes
Silver hair, ragged shirt and baggy pants, the old soft shoe
He jumped so high, he jumps so high
Then he'd lightly touch down

Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles, dance

Met him in a cell, in New Orleans it was, down and out
He looked to me to be the eyes of age as he, he spoke right out
He talked about life, he talked of life
He laughed, slapped his leg and stepped


He said the name Bojangles, and he danced a lick, across the cell
He grabbed his pants and took a stance, and he jumped so high, he clicked his heels
He let go a laugh, he let go a laugh
Shook his clothes all around

Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles, dance

He danced for those at minstrel shows and county fairs, throughout the South
He spoke in tears of 15 years how his dog and him, they traveled about
The dog up and died, he up and died
After 20 years, he still grieves

He said I dance now at every chance and honky tonks, for drinks and tips
But most the time I spend behind these county bars, ′cause I drink a bit
And he shook his head now, he shook his head
And I heard someone ask, "Please"

Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles
Hey, Mr. Bojangles, dance