Jerry Jeff Walker’s passing in October 2020 marked the end of an era for many music lovers, especially those who cherished the “cosmic cowboy” sound he helped pioneer. While his contributions to outlaw country are undeniable, it’s arguably his timeless song, “Mr. Bojangles,” that has cemented his place in the musical pantheon. This song, a poignant narrative wrapped in a gentle melody, is more than just a tune; it’s a story about human connection, resilience, and the bittersweet nature of life. Let’s delve into the fascinating story behind the song Mr. Bojangles, exploring its origins and the rich tapestry of influences that make it so enduring.
The genesis of “Mr. Bojangles” is as captivating as the song itself. It takes us back to New Orleans, where a young Ronald Clyde Crosby, later known as Jerry Jeff Walker, found himself in a jail cell for public intoxication. It was here, amidst the stark reality of his temporary confinement, that he encountered a man who would forever alter his musical trajectory. This man, who identified himself only as “Mr. Bojangles,” was a vagrant swept up in a street sweep. To protect his privacy, he adopted this moniker, a name that resonated with a certain theatrical flair.
In the confines of that jail cell, Mr. Bojangles shared stories of his life, painting vivid pictures of days spent on the streets and in dimly lit bars. He recounted his travels with his loyal dog, a companion who had been his steadfast friend for fifteen years. The somber turn in his tale came with the revelation that his dog had passed away, a loss that continued to weigh heavily on him even after twenty years. The mood in the cell became heavy with shared melancholy, until someone suggested a change of atmosphere. It was then that Mr. Bojangles, with a surprising lightness, rose and performed an impromptu soft-shoe dance. This spontaneous act of resilience, a dance of life amidst hardship, sparked something profound in Walker. This encounter became the emotional core of the song Mr. Bojangles.
I knew a man, Bojangles and he’d dance for you
In worn out shoes.
With silver hair and ragged shirt and baggy pants,
He did the old soft shoe.
He jumped so high, he jumped so high
And then he lightly touched down.
This verse, the opening lines of the song, encapsulates the immediate impression Mr. Bojangles made on Walker. The image of a man dancing in worn-out shoes, despite his circumstances, speaks volumes about the human spirit’s ability to find joy and expression even in the face of adversity.
[Image of Jerry Jeff Walker performing, likely from a live concert or album cover. URL of original image from the source article should be used.]
But the story of Mr. Bojangles doesn’t end in a New Orleans jail cell. Jerry Jeff Walker’s curiosity led him to delve deeper into the name itself, and he discovered the legendary Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. This revelation added another layer of depth to the song Mr. Bojangles, connecting the transient dancer in the jail cell to a towering figure in American entertainment history.
Bill “Bojangles” Robinson (1878-1949) was an African American tap dancer, actor, and singer who achieved unparalleled fame and broke down racial barriers during a deeply segregated era. His career spanned minstrel shows, vaudeville, Broadway, and Hollywood. He was renowned for his innovative tap style, characterized by lightness, clarity of taps, and an upright posture. Dance critic Marshall Stearns aptly described Robinson’s contribution: “Robinson’s contribution to tap dance is exact and specific. He brought it up on its toes, dancing upright and swinging”, adding a “hitherto-unknown lightness and presence.”
Robinson’s signature routine, the Stair Dance, became iconic, showcasing his intricate footwork and rhythmic mastery. Beyond his dance prowess, Robinson’s significance lies in his courageous strides against racial prejudice. He was a pioneer in several respects:
- He was among the first minstrel performers to abandon blackface makeup, challenging racist caricatures prevalent in entertainment.
- He shattered the “two-colored rule” in vaudeville, becoming the first black performer to headline solo acts, defying discriminatory practices.
- He broke ground on Broadway, becoming one of the first black performers to headline major productions, paving the way for future generations.
- His collaborations with Shirley Temple in films like “The Little Colonel” (1935) marked the first interracial dance team in Hollywood, challenging racial norms in mainstream cinema.
- He headlined mixed-race Broadway productions, further pushing the boundaries of racial integration in the entertainment industry.
[Image of Bill “Bojangles” Robinson tap dancing, possibly a promotional still or historical photo. URL of original image from the source article should be used.]
Despite his monumental achievements, Robinson faced criticism from some within the Black community who felt he perpetuated racial stereotypes. This highlights the complex tightrope he walked, navigating a racist society while striving for success and creating opportunities. However, Robinson also actively worked to uplift others. He advocated for the hiring of the first Black policemen in Dallas and lobbied President Roosevelt for better treatment of Black soldiers during World War II. He even organized the first interracial public event in Miami, demonstrating his commitment to social change.
Bill “Bojangles” Robinson’s impact extended far beyond his own career, inspiring a constellation of artists, including Fred Astaire, Lena Horne, Sammy Davis Jr., Michael Jackson, and countless others. His name became synonymous with tap dance excellence and a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity.
Returning to Jerry Jeff Walker and the song Mr. Bojangles, the connection to Bill Robinson’s legacy enriches the song’s meaning. The homeless dancer in the jail cell, adopting the name “Bojangles,” perhaps unknowingly or consciously, tapped into this rich history of performance, resilience, and a certain joyful defiance. The song becomes an ode not just to a specific individual, but to the spirit embodied by Bill Robinson and all those who find ways to dance through hardship.
“Mr. Bojangles” was written by Jerry Jeff Walker in 1967 and quickly became a song embraced by a wide spectrum of artists. Its first known performance was by Allen Wayne Damron in Austin, Texas, a city that became Walker’s adopted home and a fertile ground for his musical creativity. From there, “Mr. Bojangles” embarked on a journey of countless interpretations, each artist bringing their own nuance and emotion to the song.
The beauty of “Mr. Bojangles” lies in its versatility. It can be a somber ballad, a jazzy improvisation, or a soulful country lament, depending on the artist’s approach. This adaptability is evident in the diverse range of covers the song has spawned.
David Bromberg’s rendition often incorporates the storytelling aspect of the song’s origin, drawing the listener into the jail cell encounter with Mr. Bojangles. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s 1970 version achieved mainstream success, reaching #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and introducing the song to a wider audience with its polished country-rock arrangement.
Sammy Davis Jr., paying homage to the namesake, delivered a powerful and emotionally charged performance. Neil Diamond’s 1969 version brought a dramatic flair to the song, while Nina Simone infused it with her signature soulful depth and poignant delivery, emphasizing the song’s inherent sentimentality. Tom T. Hall’s honest and understated rendition resonated with country audiences, and Tom Jones’s powerful vocals added a touch of grandeur to the song. Even Whitney Houston, in a surprising collaboration with Bobby Brown, demonstrated the song’s genre-bending appeal.
[It would be ideal to embed YouTube links to a few of these cover versions here if payoffsong.com allows embedding and it fits the site’s style. If not, mentioning them is sufficient. Example below – remove if embedding is not appropriate.]
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[David Bromberg - Mr. Bojangles (Live)](Link to David Bromberg's Mr. Bojangles performance on YouTube)Jerry Jeff Walker himself continued to perform “Mr. Bojangles” throughout his career, and a particularly memorable live version with Todd Snider, Jason Isbell, and Amanda Shires captures the camaraderie and mutual respect among musicians. Snider’s personal anecdote about Jerry Jeff Walker in this performance further illuminates Walker’s generous spirit and influence on the Austin music scene.
Jerry Jeff Walker’s impact on country music extends beyond “Mr. Bojangles.” He was a key figure in the Austin music scene that nurtured the careers of Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, contributing to the outlaw country movement. His songwriting and independent spirit left an indelible mark on the genre. The lyrics from the song “Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)” by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, “Between Hank Williams’ pain songs/And Jerry Jeff’s train songs and Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain,” acknowledge Walker’s place alongside country music giants.
“Mr. Bojangles” transcends genre and time because it taps into universal human emotions – loneliness, loss, resilience, and the enduring power of stories and art to connect us. It’s a song about finding beauty in unexpected places and people, and about the stories we carry and share. From a jail cell in New Orleans to concert halls around the world, the song Mr. Bojangles continues to dance its way into the hearts of listeners, a testament to its enduring magic and the intertwined legacies of Jerry Jeff Walker and the enigmatic dancer who inspired it all.
