Hi @Debp,
Yes, it's great to see you again, dear sister! Actually, I made a couple of wrong turns along the way but did find myself here in the right place. Things are just getting started as a newb, so perhaps there will be the usual attempts of becoming acquainted with the brethren at Christianity Board. Thanks for the welcome. God bless!
Shalom,
David/BeauJangles
Welcome to Christianity Board! Love your user name! one of my favorite songs from the 70's Mr. BoJangles.
'Mr. Bojangles': The Story Behind the Song
BY
COURTNEY CAMPBELL5 MONTHS
Facebook/Jerry Jeff Walker
"Mr. Bojangles" was written by Grammy-nominated country music artist
Jerry Jeff Walker-- aka The Gypsy Songman -- for his 1968 album of the same name. The song has become an American icon. It was covered by incredible artists including
Bob Dylan,
John Denver, Nina Simone, Whitney Houston,
Neil Diamond, Sammy Davis Jr., and the
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, whose 1970 cover rose to number nine in the 1971
Billboard top 100 charts. Its covers have been as diverse as they have been impressive, their sounds ranging from Hollywood to
Texas, but always staying truly American.
Who was the original "Mr. Bojangles" who inspired Walker to write this well-known country music song?
Believe it or not, it was based on a homeless man he met in a New Orleans jail. The man referred to himself as "Mr. Bojangles" and regaled Walker with various stories about his life and then created a depressing mood in the cell when he talked about his dog, who had died. When one of the other men requested for someone to cheer everyone up, "Mr. Bojangles" hopped up and performed a tap dance.
The nickname makes sense since it originated with the tap dancer and performer, Bill Robinson. You might recognize him from some classic 1930s films like Shirley Temple's
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. His success led to many street performers being called "Bojangles," which inspired Walker's jail buddy's alias (mostly to keep his true name under wraps from the cops). With the background on that legendary, timeless name in mind, Jerry Jeff Walker's song takes on a whole new meaning and brings that character to life. A fitting character for someone nicknamed "The Gypsy Songman" to write about, we might add. The tune has left an indelible print on American country music.
"Mr. Bojangles" Lyrics:
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
