Mr. Bojangles (From the Music of Fosse/Verdon: Episode 8)

I knew a man Bojangles and he'd dance for you In worn out shoes With silver hair, a ragged shirt and baggy pants The old soft-shoe He jumps so high, he jumps so high Then 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 at me to be the eyes of age As he spoke right out He talked of life, he talked of life He laughed, clicked his heels and stepped He said the name Bojangles and he danced a lick Across the cell He grabbed his pants, a better stance, woah 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 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 travelled 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 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, "Peace?" Mr. Bojangles Mr. Bojangles Mr. Bojangles Dance