Jerry Jeff Walker
Released by Columbia on the official bootleg album Dylan
(1973)
Tabbed by Eyolf Østrem
C
C /b Am /g
I knew a man Bojangles and he'd dance for you
F G
In worn out shoes
C /b Am /g
The silver hair, a ragged shirt and baggy pants
F G
That old soft shoe
F C E Am C/g
He'd jump so high, he'd jump so high
D7/f# G C/g G7
Then he'd lightly touch down
Am Em Mister Bojangles, Am Em Mister Bojangles, C /b Am /g F G 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 laughed and slapped his leg a step He said the name Bojangles then he danced a lick All across the cell He grabbed his pants for a better stance Oh he jumped so high and clicked his heels He let go laugh, he let go laugh Shook back his clothes all around He danced for those at minstrel shows and county fairs Throughout the south Spoke with tears of fifteen years How his dog 'n him had just travelled all about And his dog up and died, he up and died and 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 drinks a bit He shook his head, and then he shook his head I heard someone ask him: "Please"