I knew a man Bojangles 
And he'd dance for you 
In worn out shoes  
 
With silver hair a ragged shirt 
And baggy pants 
He would do the old soft shoe 
 
He would jump so high 
Jump so high 
Then he lightly touch down 
 
He told me of the time he worked with 
Minstrel shows travelling 
Throughout the south 
 
He spoke with tears of fifteen years 
How his dog and he 
They would travel about. 
 
But his dog up and died 
He up and died 
And after twenty years he still grieved 
 
He said "I dance now 
At every chance in the Honky Tonks 
For my drinks and tips 
 
But most the time I spend 
Behind these country bars 
You see on I drinks a bit" 
 
Then he shook his head 
Oh lord when he shook his head 
I could swear I heard someone say please 
 
Mister Bojangles 
Call him Mister Bojangles 
Mister Bojangles come back and dance please 
 
Come back and dance again Mr Bojangles