I knew a man, Bojangles, and he danced for you, in worn out shoes

Silver hair, a ragged shirt and baggy pants, the ‘old soft shoe’

He jumped so high, jumped so high, then he’d lightly touch down

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, he laughed and clicked his heels…

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1970)