☝️ Key Points
- The song is about an aging street dancer named Mr. Bojangles, who lives in poverty but brings joy to others through his dance.
- The dance with 'worn-out shoes' and the mention of minstrel shows point to the difficult history of black artists in the USA.
- Mr. Bojangles had a deep bond with his dog, whose death he still mourns twenty years later.
- He dances 'at every opportunity in honky tonks for his drinks and tips', indicating his harsh present reality, including his struggle with alcohol.
- The repeated refrain 'Mister Bojangles, come back and dance' suggests that his dance, despite his personal difficulties and pain, is a source of joy for others.
Interpretation
The song 'Mr. Bojangles' by
Sammy Davis Jr. tells the story of an aging street dancer known by the nickname Mr. Bojangles. The song captures the melancholy and loneliness of the dancer, who spends his life on the streets and dreams of the good old times.
'The dance for you in worn-out shoes' reflects his poverty and yet his tireless spirit to bring joy to others. It tells of his past, where he performed in minstrel shows and traveled through the South, alluding to the difficult history of black artists in the USA.
'Then he spoke with tears for fifteen years, how he and his dog would travel around. But his dog died and after twenty years, he still mourns.' This part shows his deep bond with his dog and how he still grieves its loss.
'I now dance in honky tonks for my drinks and tips. But most of the time, I spend behind these country bars. You see, son, I drink a little.' Here, the song shows the harsh reality of his present life, where he has to dance to survive and reveals his drinking habits.
'Mister Bojangles, come back and dance and dance and dance, please dance' - this repeated refrain shows the narrator's and the audience's desire to see Mr. Bojangles continue dancing, indicating the joy he spreads through his dance, despite his personal difficulties and suffering.
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