How to Play "Mr. Bojangles" by Jerry Jeff Walker (and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band)

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

C-x32010 C/B-x2x010 Am-x02210 G-320003 F-13321X E7-020100 Am7/G-3x2010 D7/F#-20021x G7-3x300x FULL CAPO FRET 2 (results in key of D) Intro [C] / / [C/B] / / [Am] / / [G] / / I [C] knew a man Bo- [C/B] jangles and he’d [Am] dance for you [Am7/G] [F] in worn out [G] shoes [G] With [C] silver hair, a [C/B] ragged shirt and [Am] baggy pants, [Am7/G] [F] He did the old soft [G] shoe [G] [F] He jumped so [C] high, [E7] jumped so [Am] high, [Am7/G] [D7/F#] Then he'd lightly touch [G] down [G] [G7] [Am] Mr. Bo [G] jangles, [Am] Mr. Bo [G] jangles, [Am] Mr. Bo [G] jangles, [C] Dance (intro riff) I [C] met him in a [C/B] cell down in [Am] New Orleans [Am7/G] [F] I was down and [G] out [G] He [C] looked to me to [C/B] be the very [Am] eyes of age [Am7/G] [F] As he spoke right [G] out [G] [F] He talked of [C] life, [E7] talked of [Am] life, [Am7/G] [D7/F#] He lightly slapped his leg in- [G] stead [G] [G7] He [C] said the name, Bo- [C/B] jangles, and he [Am] danced a lick [Am7/G] [F] Across the [G] cell He [C] grabbed his pants for a [C/B] better stance, then he [Am] jumped up high, [Am7/G] [F] And then he clicked his [G] heels [F] He let go a [C] laugh, [E7] let go a [Am] laugh, [Am7/G] [D7/F#] Shook back his clothes all a- [G] round [G] [G7] [Am] Mr. Bo [G] jangles, [Am] Mr. Bo [G] jangles, [Am] Mr. Bo [G] jangles, [C] Dance (intro riff) He [C] danced for those at [C/B] minstrel shows and [Am] county fairs, [Am7/G] [F] Throughout the [G] south He [C] spoke in tears of [C/B] fifteen years how his [Am] dog and him, [Am7/G] [F] They travelled a- [G] bout [F] His dog up and [C] died, [E7] up and [Am] died, [Am7/G] [D7/F#] after twenty years he still [G] grieves [G] [G7] He [C] said I dance now at [C/B] every chance in [Am] honky tonks, [Am7/G] [F] For drinks and [G] tips But [C] most the time I [C/B] spend behind these [Am] county bars [Am7/G] [F] ‘Cause I drinks a [G] bit [F] He shook his [C] head and [E7] as he shook his [Am] head, [Am7/G] [D7/F#] I heard someone asking [G] please [G] [G7] [Am] Mr. Bo [G] jangles, [Am] Mr. Bo [G] jangles, [Am] Mr. Bo [G] jangles, [C] Dance (intro riff) I [C] knew a man Bo- [C/B] jangles and he’d [Am] dance for you [Am7/G] [F] [G] [C]

[@jamescashion719]

I always played it in the key of D major, but that's because I sing in D. Thanks for the lesson

[@zayden5759]

so glad i found a tutorial on this song :). My grandpa showed me this song a few years back. He loved nitty gritty dirt band. He lived in the same town as those guys and would see them around bars and such when he was young. Gotta learn this and go play it for him :)

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

That warms my heart Zayden! Thanks for sharing!

[@dbrew2u]

Beautiful song , Beautifully played and Wonderfully taught . I had long forgotten this classic . I will do my best to learn it and play it for others . Thank You so much Mike .

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

Thanks A-lover! Best to you, and thanks for the kind words!

[@goodtimefolkrock]

Awesome....adding it to my solo acoustic set

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

Thanks GTFR! Appreciate the comment!

[@johnmiller7091]

Great one Mike. The hardest part for me will be learning the lyrics. Another great lesson!

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

Thanks John! I don’t try to memorize lyrics, for the most part. Also, the cadence on the last line in each verse is a little tricky and nuanced. This was a very fun lesson for me.

[@johnmiller7091]

I'm playing at a party on the 11th and have 50 songs ready to go and it's amazing how I remember all the lyrics. Once I learn them they seem to stay in my head but it takes awhile to learn. This one may replace one of those songs. Beautiful version!!

[@MrMattymole]

Nailed it once again Mike. Bless you for bringing so much joy to us. Matt.

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

Thanks for your kind words, Matt!

[@alang6915]

Hi Mike, an absolute brilliant song, and your interpretation of it is as usual fantastic. I’ve a gig coming up in a few weeks and thanks to you it’s in the set. Thanks again

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

Awesome Alan! Thanks, and hope the gig is a smashing success!

[@alang6915]

@@campfire_guitar_lessons Thanks Mike I’ll get someone to record a clip o of it

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

@@alang6915 I’d love to hear it Alan!

[@TheDasFaust]

One of my all time oldie favorite songs, good job!

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

Thanks DF!

[@texhaines9957]

Thanks Mike. I've been doing a version of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band finger style. I am slowly reintroducing a pick after I was given an expensive one (Bluechip) and won one (Toneslab). They make a difference, and playing a 000 or CEO-7 I can sing over them. Not so with a dreadnought. Never counted the chords, just thought they were running the bass note/line. Again, thanks

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

Thanks Tex! Which Blue Chip did you get? I have several. My favorites are the TD-45 and the Kenny Smith signature.

[@melodysuire3646]

This is a beautiful song, played well and bring back memories.

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

Thanks Melody!

[@ConjuntoFan]

One of my favorite songs. You explained it very clearly, so should be easy to learn. Thanks Mike!!

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

Thanks Tony! Knock it out of the park!

[@BlpBud]

Keep knockin the dust off our favorire classics! Great lesson as usual, and thanks for your work with our Vets.

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

Thanks Bip! That’s what I do!

[@leelossi1257]

You just played my favorite song!!! Awesome job.

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

Aww! I love it, too, Lee! Thanks!

[@dennisk5082]

Thanks Mike. We are obviously the same vintage.!,. You keep bringing me songs that are dear to my heart and soul.You are a truly great man😊

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

Dennis! You and I are the definition of vintage! Thanks so much for always giving me such positive support!

[@melroberts7987]

Love this song, we play this at our Monday jam. Lyrics ALWAYS tears me up some. I'm usually backup vocals and accompany on mandolin. Been meaning to learn this on guitar for myself, as an aspiring solo acoustic musician SAM now rgat the weather is becoming more aggreeable.

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

Thanks Mel! There are some great mandolin runs in there… we could use you in our Monday jam!

[@melroberts7987]

That would be too amazing to actually meet.. Mike. Haha

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

@@melroberts7987 where are you located Mel?

[@melroberts7987]

@campfire_guitar_lessons Oh I'm just outside of Philadelphia on the East Coast. You're in California correct?..lol

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

@@melroberts7987 yes, Northern California.

[@jamescashion719]

I love it that you play an F major the way I was taught 55 years ago, when I was 15. Thanks for the lesson for a capo

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

@@jamescashion719 Thanks James! I was taught the F 54 years ago 🤣

[@jamescashion719]

@@campfire_guitar_lessons Guess that explains it!

[@54fighting5]

You did a great job on a beautiful song. I've been a fan of his since the early 70's and this song never gets old to me. Jerry Jeff had a lot of success with songs written by others but this is one of his own and its just perfect. Thanks for sharing.

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

Thanks 54F! This is Jerry Jeff’s masterpiece. It’s one of those songs that has been pulling people’s heart strings for generations.

[@mikeackley-fo8il]

A classic... one of my favorite plays! Great job Mike... the new wood sounds awesome, perfect for this sound 😀

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

Thank you kindly, Mic! I know you love your 12-fret Martin hog!

[@paulwilson1110]

Mike. This is beautiful thank you. Some great walk downs to learn. A real challenge for me is to sing at the same time. Many thanks

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

Thanks Paul! It’s definitely a song worth learning… seems universally loved, and a great, simple singalong chorus.

[@dekestone5905]

I really enjoy your lessons. Thank you Mike.

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

Glad you like them, Deke! Thanks!

[@HumbleDisciples]

I love your playing style Mike. So smooth.. love jerry Jeff too.. would love to hear ya play "getting by"

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

@@HumbleDisciples thanks HD! I’ll check it out.

[@RickGreyson]

Another wonderful lesson. Thank you!

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

Thank you Rick! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@tyllyscab]

A Masterpice. i love this Version from Jerry Jeff Walker and your lesson on a nice Martin triple O. Thank You Mister!

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

@@tyllyscab Thank you so much!

[@timswoodendeavors]

Hey Mike just found your channel and find it very helpful. Thanks for your time and info. TIM.

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

@@timswoodendeavors Thanks for watching, Tim! Glad you’re getting some value. I attempt to produce about one video per week… usually from the last century, and typically simplified for the beginning-level to early intermediate-level guitarist.

[@BC-ee9iu]

Love it!

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

Thanks BC!

[@deadwood3764]

Very Nice Mike.!

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

Thanks DW!

[@donaldpeters338]

Awesome!! Looks like you're playing a Martin 000-15m. Wondering if you also have a 00015sm?

[@campfire_guitar_lessons]

@@donaldpeters338 Thanks Donald! I don’t. After I bought this 000-15M, I played a 000-15SM, but didn’t like the playability as much. Maybe it was just the one at my local dealer…. I still am on the lookout for one. The tone on the SM is so good!