Lyrics Mr. Bojangles (1993 Remastered) - 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, 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, talked of life
He laughed and slapped his leg a step

Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles, dance

He said his name, Bojangles
Then he danced a lick across the cell
He grabbed his pants, a fettered stance
Oh, how he jumped up high
He clicked his heels
He let go a laugh, 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 the tears of fifteen years
How his dog and he traveled about
His dog up and died, he just up and died
After twenty years he still grieved

Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles, dance

He said, "I dance now
At every chance in honky tonks
For drink and tips
But most of the time
I spend behind these county bars"
He said, "I drinks a bit"

He shook his head
And as he shook his head
I heard someone respectfully ask please

Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles, dance