Mr. Bojangles
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Key of Am · Chords: III IV V VI VII i v
Open in Bluegrass Book: transpose, play alongLick1
Lick2
G/B
E-3-----| E-3-2-1--| E---X-----|
Lick1
C G/B Am
Verse 1
C G/B Am Am/G I knew a man Bojangles and he'd dance for you Lick1 F G In worn out shoes C G/B Am Am/G With silver hair, a ragged shirt, and baggy pants Lick2 F G The old soft shoe F Em E Am Am/G He jumped so high, jumped so high D/F# G G7 Then he lightly touched down C G/B Am Am/G I met him in a cell in New Orleans I was Lick1 F G down and out C G/B Am Am/G He looked to me to be the eyes of age Lick2 F G as he spoke right out F Em E Am Am/G D/F# He talked of life, talked of life, he laughed Lick1 G G7 clicked his heels and stepped C G/B Am Am/G He said his name "Bojangles" and he danced a lick Lick1 F G across the cell C G/B Am Am/G He grabbed his pants and spread his stance,Oh he jumped so high Lick2 F G and then he clicked his heels F Em E Am Am/G He let go a laugh, let go a laugh D/F# G G7 and shook back his clothes all around
Chorus
Am G Am G Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles Am G C G/B Am Mr. Bojangles, dance
Verse 2
C G/B Am Am/G He danced for those at minstrel shows and county fairs Lick1 F G throughout the south C G/B Am Am/G He spoke through tears of 15 years how his dog and him Lick2 F G traveled about F Em E Am Am/G The dog up and died, he up and died D/F# G G7 And after 20 years he still grieves C G/B Am Am/G He said I dance now at every chance in honky tonks Lick1 F G for drinks and tips C G/B Am Am/G But most the time I spend behind these county bars Lick2 F G 'cause I drinks a bit F Em E Am Am/G He shook his head, and as he shook his head D/F# G G7 I heard someone ask him please plee-ease
Chorus
Am G Am G Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles Am G C G/B Am Am/G C Mr. Bojangles, dance