I guess most of you know and love this beautiful and sentimental song. According to Wiki it had been written and recorded by artist Jerry Jeff Walker in far 1968.

Since then, it has been covered by many other popular artists, such as Bob Dylan, 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, 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 and Jim Egan and Cat Stevens. The version of Mr. Bojangles by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band rose to number nine on the Billboard pop chart in 1971.

[youtube="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86wME5d_yZM"]

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”.

[youtube="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD-2LcTcCwA"]

Here is lyrics of the song:
I knew a man Bojangles and he’d dance for you in worn out shoes
Silver hair, ragged shirt and baggy pants, that old soft shoe
He’d jump so high, he’d jump so high, then he lightly touched down
Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles, dance.

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, laughing slapped his leg stale
Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles, dance.

He said the name Bojangles and he danced a lick all across the cell
He grabbed his pants for a better stance, oh he jumped so high and he clicked
up his heels
He let go laugh, he let go laugh, shook back his clothes all around
Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles, dance, yeah, dance.

He danced for those at minstrel shows and county fairs throughtout the south
He spoke with tears of 15 years of how his dog and him but just travelled all about
His dog up and died, he up and died, and after 20 years he still grieves
Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles, dance.

He said I dance now at every chance at honky-tonks for drinks and tips
But most of the time I spend behind these county bars, cause I drink so bit
He shook his head, yes he shook his head, I heard someone ask him, please,
Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles, dance, dance, Mr Bojangles, dance.