The Man Who Still Grieve 20 Years After His Dog Died

I have most probably heard "Mr. Bojangles" a hundred  times, sung by so many artistes. Lately I must say this song has begun to grow on me. A few months ago, I first heard Nina Simone's version, it practically stop a tractor in my mind.



Today I heard this version by Sammy Davis Jr. (a godlike black Jewish member of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra's Rat Pack). I am again floored.

The song was written by Jerry Jeff Walker in 1968. He only managed to bring it to No:77 in the US Top 100 chart.

 

The song was later covered by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band which has more commercial success with it. It peaked at No:9 in 1970.

This song is recorded by many artistes including Harry Chapin, Sammy Davis Jr., Chet Atkins, Rod McKuen, Whitney Houston, Billy Joel, Harry Nilsson, Bob Dylan, Don McLean, The Byrds, Harry Belafonte, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Cole, Elton John, Lulu, Arlo Guthrie, Nina Simone, Esther Phillips, John Denver, David Bromberg, Neil Diamond, Tom T. Hall, King Curtis, Radka Toneff, John Holt, Bermuda Triangle Band, Robbie Williams, David Campbell, Jamie Cullum, Ray Quinn, Edwyn Collins, Frankie Laine, Cornell Dupree, Jim Croce, Todd Snider, Jim Stafford, Michael Jackson, Andre "The Gypsy" Gerard, Jamie Walker, Jamie, Judy & Jim Egan and Cat Stevens. Furthermore, composer Philip Glass makes reference to "Mr. Bojangles" in his minimalist opera Einstein on the Beach. A french version of the song was recorded in 1984 by Hugues Aufray on his album "L'enfant Sauvage".

In an episode of The Simpsons, Homer sings it dressed as a homeless man in order to get money on the street.

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 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, talked of life, he laughed
clicked his heels and stepped

He 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 around

Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles, dance

He 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 grieves

He 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 please

Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles, dance..