Mister Bojangles

Jerry Jeff Walker

Capo 2

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I knew a man Bojangles and he danced for you,
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in worn out shoes.
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With silver hair a ragged shirt and baggy pants,
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G
He did the old soft shoe.
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Em E
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He jumped so high, jumped so high,
D7/F#
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Then he lightly touched down.
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Mister Bojangles, Mister Bojangles,
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C C/B Am G
/G /A /B
Mister Bojangles, dance.

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I met him in a cell in New Orleans I was
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down and out.
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He looked at me to be the eyes of age
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as he spoke right out.
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He talked of life, talked of life,
D7/F#
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he laughed slapped his leg a step.

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He said his name, Bojangles, then he danced a lick,
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across the cell.
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He grabbed his pants a better stance oh he jumped up high,
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He clicked his heels,
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Em E
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He let go a laugh, let go a laugh,
D7/F#
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Shook back his clothes all around.

C/B

Am/G

x 2 3 0 1 0

4 x 2 3 1 0

D7/F#

G/E

G/F

T 0 0 2 1 3

x x 1 0 0 3

x x 2 0 0 3

Mr. Bojangles (p. 2)

CHORUS

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G
Am
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Mister Bojangles, Mister Bojangles,
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G
C C/B Am G
Mister Bojangles, dance.

/G /A /B

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Am/G F
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He danced for those at minstrel shows and county fairs
throughout the south.
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Am
Am/G F
G
He spoke with tears of fifteen years how his dog and he
traveled about.
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Em E
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His dog up and died, up and died,
D7/F#
G
G/E G/F G/E
After twenty years he still grieved,

Am
G
Am
G
Mister Bojangles, Mister Bojangles,
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G
C C/B Am G
Mister Bojangles, dance.

/G /A /B

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C/B
Am
Am/G F
G /G /A /B
He said, I dance now at every chance in honky tonks
for drinks and tips.
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Am/G F
G
But most of the time I spend behind these county bars,
and I drinks a bit.
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Em
E
Am Am/G
He shook his head and as he shook his head,
D7/F#
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G/E G/F G/E
I heard someone ask him please,

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Am
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Mister Bojangles, Mister Bojangles,
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C C/B Am G C C/B Am G
Mister Bojangles, dance.