In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
I knew a man Bojangles
And he danced 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 at me to be the eyes of age
As he spoke right out
He talked of life, he talked of life
He laughed and slapped his leg a step
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles danced
He said his name, Bojangles
Then he danced a lick
Across the cell
He grabbed his pants, a better stance
Oh, he jumped up high
He clicked his heels
He let go a laugh, let go a laugh
He stood up and shook back his clothes all around
He danced for those at minstrel shows and county fairs
Throughout the south
He spoke with tears of fifteen years
How his dog and he traveled about
His dog up and died, he just up and died
After twenty years he still grieved
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles danced
He said, I dance now at every chance in honky tonks
For drinks and tips
But most of the time I spend behind these county bars
He said, I drinks a bit
He shook his head and as he shook his head
I heard someone respectfully ask, please
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles danced
And he danced 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 at me to be the eyes of age
As he spoke right out
He talked of life, he talked of life
He laughed and slapped his leg a step
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles danced
He said his name, Bojangles
Then he danced a lick
Across the cell
He grabbed his pants, a better stance
Oh, he jumped up high
He clicked his heels
He let go a laugh, let go a laugh
He stood up and shook back his clothes all around
He danced for those at minstrel shows and county fairs
Throughout the south
He spoke with tears of fifteen years
How his dog and he traveled about
His dog up and died, he just up and died
After twenty years he still grieved
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles danced
He said, I dance now at every chance in honky tonks
For drinks and tips
But most of the time I spend behind these county bars
He said, I drinks a bit
He shook his head and as he shook his head
I heard someone respectfully ask, please
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles danced
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