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        << Back to Jerry Jeff Walker Song List
Version 1 Version 2 Version 3
            MR BOJANGLES 
written by Jerry Jeff Walker
As performed by Jerry Jeff Walker at the 
Armadillo World Headsquarters, Austin, Texas 1975
Tabbed by blksmth52
* = single notes
[Intro]
D  D/C#  D/B    A* B* C#*
[Verse]
  D            D/C#           D/B           D7/A G             A    A* B* C#*
I knew a man Bojangles and he danced for you,      in worn out shoes.
     D             D/C#             D/B         D7/A G              A
With silver hair a ragged shirt and baggy pants,       the old soft shoe
G              D     F#7          Bm   Bm7 E7                         A   A* B* C#*
He jumped so high, he jumped so high,       then he lightly touched down.
[Verse]
  D            D/C#          D/B        D7/A G          A   A* B* C#*
I met him in a cell in New Orleans I was       down and out.
   D               D/C#   D/B        D7/A G                   A
He looked to me to be the eyes of age       as he spoke right out.
G              D     F#7          Bm   Bm7 E7                            A   A* B* C#*
He talked of life, he talked of life,      laughed & slapped his leg a step.
[Verse]
   D                D/C#             D/B           D7/A G            A    A* B* C#*
He said his name, Bojangles, then he danced a lick,       across the cell.
   D                   D/C#                Bm7            D/A G                     A
He grabbed his pants a better stance oh he jumped up high,      then he clicked his heels,
G             D         F#7      Bm    Bm7 E7                            A
He let go a laugh, he let go a laugh,       shook back his clothes all around.
[Chorus]
Bm       A       Bm          A       Bm          A                  D    D/C#  D/B  A* B* C#*
Mister Bojangles,   Mister Bojangles,   Mister Bojangles, won't you dance.
[Verse]
   D                   D/C#               D/B          D7/A G                A    A* B* C#*
He danced for those at minstrel shows and county fairs        throughout the south.
   D                   D/C#                  D/B         D7/A G          A
He spoke with tears of fifteen years how his dog and him        traveled about.
G                D     F#7       Bm   Bm7   E7                             A       A* B* C#*
His dog up and died, he up and died,         after twenty years he still grieved,
[Verse]
   D                     D/C#            D/B         D7/A G                A    A* B* C#*
He said, "I dance now at every chance in honky tonks        for drinks and tips.
    D             D/C#               D/B         D7/A G                   A
But most of the I spend behind these county bars,       'cause I drinks a bit."
G              D        F#7             Bm   Bm7 E7                         A
He shook his head and as he shook his head,       I heard someone ask him please,
[Chorus]
Bm       A       Bm          A       Bm          A                  D
Mister Bojangles,   Mister Bojangles,   Mister Bojangles, won't you dance.
D/C#  D/B    A* B* C#*  D
(let the final D chord ring) 
        
                