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
 
 Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles, 
 Mr. Bojangles, dance!
 
 I met him in a cell in New Orleans, 
 I was down and out
 He looked to be the eyes of age as spoke right out
 He talked of life, 
 He talked of life, 
 He laughed, slapped his leg a step
 
 He said his name, Bojangles,
 Then he danced a lick across the cell
 He grabbed pants of better stants,
 Then he jumped up high, he clicked his heels
 He let go a laugh, 
 He let go a laugh, shook back his clothes all around
 
 Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles, 
 Mr. Bojangles, dance!
 La-dee da da...
 Hum-um-um...
 Dee-dah-dah-dah
 
 He danced for those at minstrel shows
 And county fairs throughout the south
 He spoke with tears of 15 years
 How his dog and he traveled about
 His dog up and died, up and died,
 After 20 years he still grieved
 
 He said I dance now at ev'ry chance
 In honky tonks for drinks 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 ask "Please!"
 "Please!"
 
 Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles, 
 Mr. Bojangles, dance!
 La-dee da da...
 Hum-um-um...
 Dee-dah-dah-dah
 Dance! Dance! Dance!