Mr. Bojangles Songtext
von Nina Simone

I knew a man Bojangles
And he danced for you
In worn out shoes
With silver hair, a ragged shirt and baggy pants
The old soft shoe
He jumped so high
He jumped so high
Then he lightly touched down

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
He talked of life
He talked of life
He laughed, slapped his leg a step

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


He said his name, Bojangles
And he danced a lick
Across the cell
He grabbed his pants in fettered stance
Oh, he jumped up high
Then he clicked his heels
He let go a laugh
He let go a laugh
He stood up and shook back his clothes all around

He danced for those
At minstrel shows and county fairs
Throughout the south
He spoke with tears of 15 years
How his dog and him traveled about
His dog up and died
He up and died
After 20 years he still grieves

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

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"
"Because I drinks a bit"

He shook his head
And as he shook his head
I heard someone respectfully asked: "Please"


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