“Mr Bojangles… Come back and dance!”
Posted by Lois Cordelia on 18 August 2010 | Views: 1442 | 0 Comments
Title: “Mr Bojangles… Come back and dance!”
Medium: Silhouette paper-cut in black paper. Cut by hand using a scalpel.
Dimensions: Unframed size: approx. A3 (40 x 30 cm)
Date: January 2010
Comments:
Inspired by the lyrics of the song written and recorded by Jerry Jeff Walker in 1968 and covered by many other artists, including notably Sammy Davis Jr.:
“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, come back and 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
But 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 drink so bad
He shook his head, and as he shook his head
I heard someone ask him please
Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles, come back and dance…!”
http://www.loiscordelia.com/silh_mrbojangles.htm
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