Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – Mr Bojangles (Guitar)

Key
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Versions (4)

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Chords

*** I've transcribed this to Tenor friendly C Major. *** The Nitty Grtitty Dirt band recorded this in D Major. To match that use a capo on the 6th fret. [Intro] C Em Am G [Verse 1]
    C             Em              Am        Am/G   F             G
  I knew a man Bojangles and he danced for you      in worn out shoes

     C             Em              Am        Am/G   F               G
  with silver hair and ragged shirt and baggy pants   the old soft shoe

  F            C  E7            Am   Am/G  F                          G
  he jumped so high jumped so high           then he lightly touched down
[Verse 2]
    C             Em              Am     Am/G  F                 G
  I met him in a cell down in New Orleans        I was down and out

    C             Em            Am   Am/G   F                  G
  he looked to me to beeee the eyes of age   as he spoke right out

 F            C  E7             Am   Am/G   F                                       G
  he talked of life he talked of life         he laughed, clicked his heels and stepped
[Verse 3]
  C                  Em                Am       Am/G  F              G
  He said his name Bojangles then he danced a lick       across the cell

  C                          Em                   Am           Am/G
  he grabbed his pants for a better stance oh he jumped so high

            F          G
  and then he clicked his heels

  F            C  E7             Am  Am/G  F                                 G
  he let go a laugh let go a laugh           shook back his clothes all around
[Chorus]
  Am     G      Am     G     Am     G         C
  Mr Bojangles, Mr Bojangles Mr Bojangles.... Danced
[Verse 4]
     C             Em              Am        Am/G       F              G
  He danced for those at mistral shows and county fairs   across the South

      C                 Em                   Am       Am/G   F         G
  He spoke of tears of fifteen years how his dog and he     travelled about

   F            C  E7             Am   Am/G   D/F#                                G    G7
  his dog up and died he up and died,           and after twenty years he still greaves
[Verse 5]
   C             Em              Am        Am/G       F                  G
  He said I danced now at every chance in honky tonks    for drinks and tips

      C             Em              Am        Am/G      F              G
  But most of the time I spend behind these county bars,  he drinks a bit

 F            C  E7             Am   Am/G  F                        G
  He shook his head, and as he shook his head        I heard someone ask please
[Chorus]
  Am     G      Am     G     Am     G         C
  Mr Bojangles, Mr Bojangles Mr Bojangles.... Danced