Mr Bojangles

 
 
C Em 
I knew a man Bojangles 
Am A7 
And he‘d dance for you 
F G G7 
In worn out shoes 
 
 
C Em 
The silver hair, a ragged shirt 
Am A7 
And baggy pants 
F G G7 
The old soft shoe 
 
 
F G E7 Am A7 
He‘d jump so high, jump so high 
D9 G G7 
Then he‘d lightly touch down 
 
 
 
Am G Am G Am G C Em Am C 
Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles, dance 
 
 
The rest of the song follows the same pattern. The lyrics I am posting 
are the original J.J. Walker lyrics, Dylan made a slight change here 
and there. 
 
 
I met him in a cell in New Orleans 
I was down and out 
 
He looked to (Dylan: at) me to be the eyes of age 
As he spoke right out 
 
He talked of life, he talked of life 
Then he laughed - slepped his leg a step 
 
He said the name Bojangles then he danced a lick 
‘Cross the cell 
 
He grabbed his pants,(Dylan: for) a better stance 
Oh (Dylan: then) he jumped so high 
He clicked his heels 
 
He let go laugh, let go laugh 
Shook back his cloth all around 
 
Mr. Bojangles (3x) 
Dance 
 
He danced for those at minstrel shows and county fairs 
Throughout the south 
 
Spoke with tears of 15 years 
How his dog ‘n him travelled about 
 
His dog up and died, his dog up and died 
After 20 years he still grieves 
 
He said I dance now at every chance in honky tonks 
For drinks and tips 
 
But most the time I spend behind these county bars 
‘Cause (Dylan: For) I drinks a bit 
 
He shook his head, and he shook his head 
I heard someone ask "Please" 
 
Mr. Bojangles (3x) 
Dance 
Dance