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"Mr. Bojangles" is a song written and originally recorded by American country music artist Jerry Jeff Walker for his 1968 album of the same title. Since then, it has been recorded by many other artists including Bob Dylan, Harry Nilsson, John Denver, Nina Simone, Sammy Davis Jr. and Neil Diamond. https://youtu.be/7t-2GeZFDdc "According to Walker, a murder on the 4th of July weekend in 1965 precipitated the arrest of all the street people in the area. In the crowded cell, a disheveled homeless man began to talk to Walker, who had been arrested earlier for drunkenness. The man told various stories of his life, but the tone darkened after "Mr Bojangles" recalled his dog who`d been run over. Someone then asked for something to lighten the mood, and the man obliged with a tap dance. "Mr. Bojangles" was the nickname used by Bill Robinson, a black tap dancer who appeared in many movies in the 1930s, including with Shirley Temple in Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. After Robinson's success, many black street dancers became known as "Bojangles." https://youtu.be/wtHvetGnOdM In Walker's book Gypsy Songman, Walker tells the story: "One of the guys in the cell jumped up and said, 'Come on, Bojangles. Give us a little dance.' 'Bojangles' wasn't so much a name as a category of itinerant street entertainer known back as far as the previous century. The old man said, 'Yes, Hell yes.' He jumped up, and started clapping a rhythm, and he began to dance. I spent much of that long holiday weekend talking to the old man, hearing about the tough blows life had dealt him, telling him my own dreams." (CLICK HERE For a 2 FREE Audible book downloads.) Walker moved on to Texas, where he sat down to write: "And here it came, just sort of tumbling out, one straight shot down the length of that yellow pad. On a night when the rest of the country was listening to The Beatles, I was writing a 6/8 waltz about an old man and hope. It was a love song. In a lot of ways, Mr. Bojangles is a composite. He's a little bit of several people I met for only moments of a passing life. He's all those I met once and will never see again and will never forget." "I knew a man Bojangles and he danced for you...." such a beautiful song; with its melancholy tune, descriptively sad and heartfelt lyrics. This is Sammy Davis' version... My favorite! "Mr. Bojangles" I knew a man Bojangles and he'd dance for you In worn out shoes With silver hair, a ragged shirt, and baggy pants The old soft shoe He jumped so high, jumped so high Then he lightly touched downI 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, talked of life, he laughed clicked his heels and steppedHe said his name "Bojangles" and he danced a lick across the cell He grabbed his pants and spread his stance, Oh he jumped so high and then he clicked his heels He let go a laugh, let go a laugh and shook back his clothes all aroundMr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles Mr. Bojangles, danceHe danced for those at minstrel shows and county fairs throughout the south He spoke through tears of 15 years how his dog and him traveled about The dog up and died, he up and died And after 20 years he still grievesHe said I dance now at every chance in honky tonks for drinks and tips But most the time I spend behind these county bars 'cause I drinks a bit He shook his head, and as he shook his head I heard someone ask him pleaseMr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles Mr. Bojangles, dance.. What was your favorite version? Share your comments in the section below. (SOURCE) RELATED: There Is Only One Vintage Woolworth Luncheonette Left In America

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