2017-05-27 14:43:50流浪阿狗
老歌亂談(712)Mr. Bojangles
此曲為美國鄉村歌手兼詞曲作家Jerry Jeff Walker自寫自唱，收錄於其1968與此曲同名的專輯中。其實，「Mr. Bojangles」是美國黑人踢踏舞者Bill Robinson的綽號，為由於他在30年代曾出現在多部電影中而知名，而之後成為了有聲望街頭舞者的代名詞。
Bill Robinson
Jerry Jeff Walker為了到處玩音樂，由家鄉紐約州北部旅行到了紐奧良，某日因酒醉一定要一位年輕女子認同「第一眼看對方所感覺的愛才是最真實的」，顯然是行為過於失態 ( 造成性騷擾？)，因而進了牢房。據Jerry Jeff Walker說他創作此曲的靈感，為來自同牢房一位以在街頭跳舞為生的老黑人獄友，所告訴關於他生活上的一些不拉不拉。( 但據說，紐奧良的看守所是有黑、白人種分隔的，故即使有Jerry Jeff Walker所說的這位獄友，應該也是位白人。)
翻唱此曲的知名歌手眾多，包含有Bob Dylan、John Denver、Neil Diamond、Robbie Williams等等，而美國鄉村搖滾樂團Nitty Gritty Dirt Band於1971的翻唱版，在告示牌熱門排行榜獲得第9名的佳績，也成為該樂團最為知名的歌曲之一。
現場版
I knew a man Bojangles and he danced for you
In worn out shoes
Silver hair, a ragged shirt and baggy pants
The old soft shoe
He jumped so high
He jumped so high
Then he'd lightly touched down
Mr Bojangles
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
He lightly slapped his leg instead
He said the name Bojangles and he danced a lick
Across the cell
He grabbed his pants for a better stance
He jumped so high
He clicked his heels
He let go a laugh
He let go a laugh
Shook back his clothes all around
Mr Bojangles
Mr Bojangles
Mr Bojangles
Dance
We danced for those at minstrel shows and county fairs
Throughout the south
We spoke in tears of fifteen years
How his dog and him
They travelled about
His dog up and died
He up and died
After twenty years he still grieves
They said I dance now at every chance and honky tonks
For drinks and tips
But most the time I spend behind these county bars
Cause I drinks a bit
He shook his head and as he shook his head
I heard someone ask please
Mr Bojangles
Mr Bojangles
Mr Bojangles
Dance