Mr Bojangles

Little Colonel

Thank you....
Alex...

The song was originally written by Jerry Jeff Walker who met a street performer in the New Orleans Precinct Jail. There was a murder on the 4th of July 1965 and every street performer was arrested. Meanwhile, Jerry Jeff Walker was arrested for being drunk and disorderly and spoke to the street performer who still danced even in the prison cells. The security guards nicknamed all the prisoners and the street performer's name was Bojangles.

Also the guitar is horribly out of tune :)

Josh

Thanks for the info Josh....
Alex....

I don't think that I've seen any of the movies. Thanks for your input.
Alex...

This song probably isn't written about any one individual - certainly not about the Bojangles of film fame - but a composite of the many black song and dance men using that name. They weren't exactly "cashing in" on someone else's fame, just using the well-known name to share a little of his success. Such a practice was common in the south during the vaudeville era and the depression - for example, there were many gospel groups known as the "Five Blind Boys of Alabama".

i think you might be right, but there is more to the background of this song. I need to research it. Thanks for the interest.
Alex...

I think that you're right, thanks for the comment.
Alex...

These pictures are of the Bojangles who was a movie star dancer, not the one the song is about.

thank you so much for your comment.
Alex...