i knew a man bojangles and he d dance for you in worn out shoes silver hair a ragged shirt and baggy pants the old soft shoe he jumped so high he jumped so high he d lightly touch down mr bojangles mr bojangles mr bojangles dance 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 he spoke right out he talked of life he talked of life he laugh slapped his leg in step he said the name bojangles and he danced a lick across the cell he grabbed his pants a better stance whoa he jumped so high clicked his heels  he let go a laugh let go a laugh shook back his clothes all around mr bojangles mr bojangles mr bojangles dance he s danced for those at minstrel shows and county fairs throughout the south he spoke with tears of fifteen years how his dog and him they traveled about his 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 of the time i spend behind these county bars cause i drink a bit he shook his head and as he shook his head i heard someone ask please mr bojangles mr bojangles mr bojangles dance i knew a man bojangles and he d dance for you in worn out shoes silver hair baggy pants and ragged shirt the old soft shoe he jumped so high he jumped so high and then he d lightly touch down mr bojangles mr bojangles mr bojangles dance that is a beautiful song you wrote that yeah wow