Jerry Jeff Walker on Austin City Limits "Mr. Bojangles"

[@paulcolaneri7986]

When I was at boarding school in Fairfield, Connecticut in 1969, I was hanging out with fellow students on a lawn outside the student center…when a man casually walked up to carrying a guitar…he asked if he could play something for us…we said such…and he played “Mr. Bogangles”…he then said he was Jerry Jeff Walker…we thanked him and he walked away…this is one of my most cherished memories of my teen years

[@lsara3699]

wow...

[@jacquesvalot5853]

Wow.

[@johntrucano8186]

How cool is that...

[@paulcolaneri7986]

Yes…unplanned events are often the most memorable

[@joshyarborough1265]

That's amazing

[@canopybotanicals7819]

One of the best songs ever written.

[@jeffbaggett291]

One of the very few songs that can make me cry.

[@briqxr]

gotta agree, im 15...

[@12yearssober]

I've been an alcoholic for a long time. I am 11 years sober now. This song describes so many guys I've known over the years. Guys who were good people with different talents but couldn't stop drinking. Times in jail and lives of loss. All of them because they "drinks a bit". This song has always been one of my favorites. I think we all know a Mr Bojangles.

[@GloriaLea]

I'd say in the top 5 greatest songs of all time

[@jimsims9422]

It's up there

[@amishschool123]

Truly an epic song and epic writer - I can hear this song 20 times and still get emotional. Thanks Jerry-Jeff: We miss you.

[@garyplaystheguitar]

He didn't just play the song... the song played him. That was beautiful.

[@midwesttreasurehunter349]

Haunted Jerry is what it did...

[@Paige-hh2zp]

❤ Love this song and this particular performance.

[@AaronLimberger]

i cant express enough how much this is REAL music to me. many people have their own definition but this is mine.

[@gregpalermo3861]

dam straight it is.

[@HeatherValentineMsFoodie]

AGREED!!!!!!

[@franklatham9403]

Mine too brother

[@nazznate]

Such an organic feel. His voice, the bass guitar tone, and each solo spot. Perfect

[@dustdevl3404]

I share that definition, my friend.

[@atlarge988]

There was only one Jerry Jeff Walker. RIP!

[@javagirl]

I miss those times when we in the audience would simply listen, or perhaps sing along, and give the performer our attention. A beautiful ballad in the folk tradition. Miss those too.

[@johnlariscy8418]

Named my dog Jerry Jeff(aka Mr. BOGGLES) I'm 65 so I have to explain to the younger crowd. Now all my kids,grandkids and friends love Jerry Jeff Walker songs. Could be the best thing I ever pass on. RIP JJW! LOVED BY A NEW GENERATION!

[@kingrobert1st]

I named my dog Jerry after Jerry Garcia! and I had a 12 string guitar made for me just to play Mr. Bojangles on!

[@michaelpatlin8219]

The best version of this song . JJW shows his heartfelt emotion

[@TB-ev7yj]

The Original as it was once intended

[@markrush5013]

no shit...he wrote it

[@AntonioBarsanio]

I love Neil Diamond's interpretation of this song. A Poignant and classic song.

[@dc10fomin65]

I am 74 and live in a big city, Chicago, when I hear this simple pure feelings song, I cry, don't know why, perhaps someday I'll find out.

[@Flashbakk1200]

It's because we old folks will never have times and songs like this again. Some of our kids and most of our grand kids have missed real songs and story telling words. Sign of the times my friend.

[@brucewallenius1465]

Another native I feel the same.

[@kingrobert1st]

I'm 72 and this still crushes me.

[@peterbaruxis2511]

@@kingrobert1st I'm 67, & yeah.

[@AngryGenXer]

Me too

[@stephenlamb3929]

This is one of the Greatest songs ever written.

[@WTHenry2023]

Agreed. I grew up with this song but didn't think much of it as a kid; however, I heard this song again a few months ago after not hearing it for years and it touched my soul unlike any other song ever has.

[@melvynbrown9800]

I catch my breath every time I watch this. I don’t know what else to say.

[@danmaceachen231]

There was nobody cooler than Jerry Jeff Walker.

[@samswartz2893]

So many versions of this song, studio and live--just by Jerry Jeff. This early one gets my vote for best. It captures Jerry truly in the moment with his creation. Master balladeer, quintessential Western voice. RIP Jerry Jeff, "Mr. Bojangles".

[@juliahanson3]

Absolutely my favorite version he sang!

[@lawrence1960]

Agreed

[@hibobb123456]

Amen!

[@tonym994]

and a Strat w/ a BRUINS sticker on it.

[@tonym994]

@@juliahanson3 you MUST be right then, because it's my favorite. I'm biased , tho. when I taped it w/ a '70's recorder, I knew the song more than the artist, because Sammy Davis Jr,. as well as The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band helped make this tune very well known after covering it on TV whenever they could, Sammy doing a little soft shoe w/ his. then I sat thru the whole ACL set. I became a JJW fan. anyway, after you hear a version as many times as I did w/ that tape, I was hooked.

[@brianmccutchan9513]

My mom introduced me to this. I miss my mom.

[@danielshaw8049]

That Beautiful young lady highlighted in this video. Hope you have a Fantastic life. I love your emotion.

[@GeorgeTel100]

I wonder what she looks like today...

[@rrrock]

They lingered too long. If she'd had cross eyes and acne she wouldn't have been in the video at all.

[@midwesttreasurehunter349]

​@@rrrockdamn..ur rite

[@gravyedwards9853]

One of the greatest songs of all time! What a story teller! ❤️

[@nk8633]

RIP Jerry Jeff Walker 3-16-21 and thanks for the great music

[@ArtCast24]

He died on 10-23-2020.

[@michaelbotz7473]

They need to make the early seasons available to the public. Not sure if they have or not. People will buy it. This is pure gold.

[@adamadcock999]

What he said!!

[@gregorysullivan7175]

Your on to something.

[@woodennickel6148]

"Things I learned in a hobo jungle..."~~Merle Haggard That is a long row to hoe, Botz.

[@lllfff3359]

It doesn't get much better than JJW. Without this guy, we may not have a Jimmy Buffet as we know Buffet.....

[@billmcloughlan3718]

MAKE EARLY SEASONS AVAILIABLE....THIS IS THE MUSIC THAT PUT AUSTIN CITY LIMITS , TEXAS AND HELP EXPOSE PBS TO THE WORLD...''LEST WE FORGET''......!!!

[@TheYamahog12]

My favorite singer/songwriter of all time. I was genuinely sad when he died. Got to see him live a couple times and I still play his albums all the time.

[@billhorton3101]

Me too

[@terryboyer1342]

The dog up and died, he up and died. And after 20 years he still grieves...

[@chrisbrown7362]

When they Up and then they die, that's the worst. 20 years isn't very long to mourn a dog's passing.

[@neeleynonea]

My 20 year old cat died about 20 years ago. I still grieve

[@clarkduffe1268]

The saddest few lines in a song ever.

[@bobbychisholm6692]

Something about Jerry’s voice and style that puts me at ease and helps me relax. Love it!

[@javiermendoza2942]

You said it. Jerry Jeff Walker was pure gold. He's the real thing

[@midwesttreasurehunter349]

Probably 1 of 10 total masters of our time.

[@swlafollett9963]

This entire show should be shown... he... and we... deserve it... rest in peace gypsy songman.

[@TheJohnieB]

I did this as a cover song in the Sword and Stone Coffeehouse of OKC. I introduced the song to a professor of humanities. All he could remember was the song and not me performing it but some woman with blonde hair. I named my favorite dog Mr. BoJangles. He was such a love. A big mix of Mastiff and Heinz 57.

[@alistaircooke7000]

Songs that are sang by the original lyricists are always the best. They wrote. That song for a reason.

[@genesclean1]

First heard him sing this in 1969 on WBAI -FM in New York when I was a hippie living in the East Village. It shook me to the core and made me weep. Still touches my soul.

[@RobertSamuels-p2s]

A York man with a country soul one of the best ever

[@charlesnewcomb6520]

Too much of life.I love it.Thank you

[@CarolynRichards-j6g]

may you rest in peace jerry jeff walker ! most beautiful song ever recorded !! 🌷🌷💖💖💖🌈🌈🌈🙏🌹🌹🌹🌹🦮🦮🦮🦮🐕‍🦺🐕‍🦺🐕‍🦺🐕‍🦺🐕🐕🐕🐕

[@sartainja]

Viva the memory and music of Jerry Jeff Walker.

[@jamesharris8423]

Back around 1970 give or take a year, a Columbus Ohio radio station was doing promos for about a month about a concert featuring a number of country singers. The name I always remembered was Jerry Jeff Walker. I think it was the iteration, and the DJ seemed to emphasize Jerry Jeffs name more than the others. Coincidentally, I never knew he wrote Mr. Bojangles till a few months ago. I always thought Nitty Gritty wrote the song. I have been going back and forth between this version and his 1969 live solo. Almost every night I listen to one or the other. He has a unique voice and cadence, and such a great story teller. It has been nice to discover some other work of his as well.

[@garybasham4728]

I have waited for years to see this!!!

[@fuckyou49898]

Jerry Jeff Walker is a national treasure

[@pumpkineckbort8856]

After 20 years he still greived it always gets me. Shit.

[@jamesd2128]

Me too, man.

[@Lea99Jones]

Oh, Jeez, THAT's the magic of Jerry Jeff live, right there.

[@shin-i-chikozima]

This masterpiece’s song is full of sorrowful nostalgia and evoke comfortable feelings and pleasure

[@__bam]

My favorite rendition. Perfection.

[@Laura-ts4dh]

This is my favorite version. Perfect voice set to poetry and wonderful music.

[@joeclayton2121]

hahaha....his timing sucks...NGDB does this song the best

[@bielendacimino8603]

@@joeclayton2121 he wrote the song so I guess his version is the way it should be. But I do love NGDB and of course, Sammy’s version. Great song.

[@danielshaw8049]

He did a good job on this one

[@spencerkelley8801]

I agree. I never liked this song until I saw this version. NGDB's version is very polished and has "Good Timing" but it is a song about being in a drunk tank. So I find his drunken delivery in this video to be perfect. Often in music the imperfections are what make it great. Also the band is so patient and subtle waiting to come on till half way through the song. NGDB's version is just everything all the time. Very perfect but boring in my opinion. But that's the great thing about music, nobody's opinion is right. Except Yours and mine Laura, haha.

[@stephenmilburn7622]

@@joeclayton2121 I'm going to guess that you heard NGDBs version on a top 40 radio station and that's the way it should be done. I'm the same way. You like a song and then it gets butchered by another singer. I will usually say it tells you that there's a reason for one to be a hit with the same song. I le the 1st version I heard of this song

[@choppermorgan9946]

I am so d*** sorry. I never got to see you in concert Jerry Jeff Walker, but I followed on your work on TV and records. You're the man I definitely gonna see if my wife won't take us to Belize one time. God bless you in your family

[@remygarrison1451]

Mesmerized watching this. Priceless.

[@ulrichrohde4071]

After having played that song hundreds of times with our band, I finally heard this version of the man who had written it. Yes. Sammy Davis jr. was great, and our band really played it good. But man, this is better than any version I´ve ever heard.

[@warrenlewis3977]

You know damn well Sammy's was better.

[@Jominycrocket0]

@@warrenlewis3977 Did Sammy write it? Did he share a cell with Bo??? Then back off!!!!!

[@warrenlewis3977]

@@Jominycrocket0 Sammy didn't have to write it. Sammy's version is the standard.

[@TheYamahog12]

@@warrenlewis3977Not even close.

[@warrenlewis3977]

@@TheYamahog12 when you type in "Bojangles" Sammy pops up.

[@Fibonaccisghost]

This is my first time hearing this. Why does it sound so amazing?

[@SunnyvaleTrailerParkSupervisor]

Just because

[@johnsantacruz7417]

Because Jerry Jeff could sing with emotion and could write some great songs....

[@vmartme]

One of the best performances for "Mr Bojangles"

[@christopherwhittaker3144]

I hope so, he wrote it.

[@unclejeff64]

I would happily pay stupid money for an Austin City Limits Early Years box set. The show was so important to me when I was young and learning guitar and trying to write songs.

[@goneroguerecords]

I never knew when it was on for sure but always considered myself lucky to catch an episode late at night. Always amazing talent.

[@goneroguerecords]

I don't watch tv anymore.

[@jcarlton42]

Time life has a country Austin City Limits one that is awesome and they also have a Austin 40 years box set.

[@Littlewolf13]

RIP Jerry. Thanks for Mr Bojangles 👍🎶😊 & everything else! 🥲🥲

[@terryo1530]

Jerry Jeff came home to Oneonta in 1991 and the crowd went crazy. Who is the hometown boy who really made it good and he played and sang and wrote real real music. That was the highlight of my life to see him and talk to him when he came to Oneonta. It was by an accident that I found out that he was coming, so I checked about 70 miles from Schenectady, New York, where television was invented to see my alma mater and to see and hear the most fantastic musician, Jerry Jeff Walker, bravo bravo, you rock, and you rule❤

[@TheYamahog12]

I saw him play in Oneonta in (I think) 2010.

[@terryo1530]

I went to school at the state university at Oneonta New York the birthplace of Jerry Jeff walker. There’s also another school there, so he came from a to college town with a lot of snow. Lotta good people, and Mr. Bojangles is my favorite song. I always shed a tear when he talks about his dog up and dies up and died, and after 20 years he still more and that’s me, God bless you, Jerry, Jeff and your beautiful wife I’m sure you’re playing with the Angels 0:54 ❤

[@johncentamore1052]

I went to that other school back when they were still the Warriors and nationally ranked in soccer. Hartwick College. Could see the SUNY campus on the opposite hill from almost anywhere on ours.

[@josh77711]

Damn I’m glad i stumbled on this. I love this tune but don’t think I’ve ever seen this set

[@chrishill9715]

This is my personal favorite rendition of this song.

[@kikaha56]

Such a song can lift me up then other times bring me to tears. Thank you Jerry.❤

[@mckenzieweaver74]

i love this song so much .

[@gordonhart4669]

The album "Jerry Jeff Walker" with LA Freeway and Charlie Dunn, etc , is just ever so good.

[@kencampbell5662]

Was working as a ski lift operator at Elkhart Idaho, and these two guys approached the lift we started chatting turns out they were tour manager and electric guitarist for Jerry Jeff who was playing at Elkhorn saloon just down the hill. We smoked one and they said could we ride for free if we let u into service elevator and see all three shows for free shows were outta sight stood right next to hm at bar during break too intimidated to say hello special times for me had no idea how fantastic he was!!

[@tkinosh]

😮😮

[@johnnyp8979]

Just listened 5/five times to this song. Jerry Jeff, the one and only, now much desired history and melancholy. Respect is what you see in the audience and happiness of listening to a great troubadour. When I learned that Jerry Jeff has passed on, I listened and cried, sad I was... Sadly, also PARROT HEAD BOSS passed away 09/01/23 ! Sad to know that JIMMY BUFFETT has also passed 😢. Sail away, sail in rhythm, sail strong...🙏

[@eduardodelagarza4787]

When I heard this man in luckenbach I loved country music, Semper Fi and Erin go Braugh

[@sebastianmurphy5528]

Thanks much for this song Jerry one of the best song ever written beautifully done rip

[@widowsson1478]

Perfection. Thank you for posting this. Thank you JJW for years of comfort and fun. RIP our friend.

[@kevinblades7048]

Nobody sang a story like Jerry Jeff

[@spencersuen3360]

this song is so beautiful

[@spicefiendify]

My siblings and I were raised on JJW. So happy that we were all able to see him as a family in Snohomish, Washington. LOVE YOU JERRY JEFF!

[@chaunezkalk9822]

Yep, I’m old. I’ve seen Jerry Jeff, twice. He always left me with a thought o4 two t9 ponder.

[@honestj820]

Hey how are you doing…?

[@billyworkman4204]

This is my first time seeing this original version. I must say, NICE!

[@leumas75]

My grandfather was the county sheriff in a small community in central Texas, and JJW spent a night in the drunk tank in the early-to-mid 80’s one summer while I was visiting. He and I had a long conversation about what it takes to be a musician (I ended up as a music professor, in some part thanks to his urging) and he played an impromptu concert for some of us (my Pop was a very caring, loving man in addition to be the “popo”). It’s one of those experience from my adolescence that informed the man and musician I would become. RIP Jerry Jeff.

[@kingrobert1st]

Sad sad sad beautiful beautiful beautiful sad sad sad. R.I.P. Jerry Jeff Walker.

[@polaknesmonster]

Dude nailed it

[@Stephen.Stefano.L]

Jerry Jeff Walker was one of those great who is always under recognized… Perhaps because his music was more difficult to define and didn’t fit into any specific category . One of my favorite albums of his is “Jerry Jeff Jazz”… He takes many of the classic great American songs and put his own cowboy jazz spin on it… Wonderful album… We don’t forget you Jerry Jeff…😎👏😍❤️🤣😎

[@RustyE-h9j]

It is amazing and beautiful that a 26 year old was able to give this gift to the world

[@dirkevans3443]

RIP Jacky Jack! You were part of the soundtrack to my life 😊

[@justin81011776]

What a beautiful sad song...

[@gyanissimo]

…brilliant…sound and voice…thanks..

[@constancelena]

BRAVO ❤ FANTASTIC MUSIC that soothes my soul! Thank YOU

[@richardwingate1190]

Truly a musical genius

[@leopoldmonaco7013]

One of the best and his shows at the Lone Star Cafe in NYC were legendary. A small slice of Texas in the City that never sleeps !

[@someofem]

Doesn't get any better than that. 🎶

[@tonym994]

I looked all over YT for this, as I remember having a cassette tape of it (in the days when you taped it manually). which I wore out. it's been here for exactly a year! patience wins out again. I knew it aired around early-mid '70's, and on my little B&W TV I could swear he had a Boston Bruins sticker on his Strat. I was right. I know my logos .this whole concert is excellent! THANK YOU Austin City Limits TV! and God rest your soul ,Jerry Jeff Walker.

[@Lea99Jones]

Do you have a link for the whole show?

[@TheYamahog12]

“A Man Must Carry On”

[@tonym994]

no, but it'll pop up I'll bet.@@Lea99Jones

[@martybaggenmusic]

Chills and tears

[@thewatcher486]

Wow..beautiful song. Wonderful voice.

[@hunkaboomer]

I am so lucky to have lived through this time

[@honestj820]

Hello how are you doing..?

[@OGColorado]

In 2014 I stood on that stage as a candidate for office. The back set was the same. It was so cool to be on that spot. The room has a lot of soul.

[@nickrandall2154]

Jerry was at cambridge folk festival many years ago, in summary, thanks to a group discussion that i accepted the majority view, i missed seeing him perform this, "after 20 years i still grieve..", , thanks so much for the upload,

[@josephwidener2986]

back in the mid 70's Jerry Jeff Walker's music pulled me out of my funk..the album was A Man Must Carry On.......still have it....

[@m444ss]

thanks for the tip. I just checked out & downloaded the album

[@normanjones629]

I still have it too.

[@DanielSanchez-og4ox]

That’s Chili Jeff to his really old fans (like me). My late brother and I were at this show.

[@joeclayton2121]

man sings out of tune and tyme

[@robertmusacchio9409]

Lucky you !!!

[@jaynehall8533]

❤❤❤❤always loved him and his music

[@davidreyes7724]

I never heard this gentleman before. But I loved his rendition. Great!

[@HubertofLiege]

His song based on a real encounter

[@rosebudlime]

Possibly my favourite song of all time. Sammy Davis re interpretation added soo much to it too. Its a beautiful song with such beautiful weight. Regardless the version, its a all time favourite.

[@rosebudlime]

also Clay Pigeons.

[@CK-zp8tx]

Mr Walker & Mr Davis and this song are American treasures.

[@midcam]

The whole video is perfect in all parts.

[@davidedwards5044]

His best live version

[@kennethterrell7409]

I think that anyone who grew up in the South, and who is my age, knew a real-life Mr. Bojangles. That's one reason I like this song so much; it's very personal, and personally nostalgic. My favorite real-life Bojangles was a man named "Catfish" who lived around and about Paducah, KY in the 1960s.

[@Maverick2]

RIP Jerry, It was great seeing you in concert in 1998 at the Red River Opry in Tempe, Arizona and getting you autograph on your songbook - Brett Martin Smith.

[@stacynewsom5888]

Look how the people were so enthused with the music. I miss those days

[@cynthialangley7338]

Iconic!

[@honestj820]

Hey how are you doing today..?

[@donnydonnybrook8131]

Jerry Jeff train songs 💪❤

[@ryantennyson7562]

As an expat Texan living in Britain, this just made me more homesick than anything else.

[@randyspradlin8363]

I to have felt that pain, living in New England for 10 years. So happy to be back I Texas.

[@r.watson1928]

Ryan Tennyson ---- So what does *London Homesick Blues* By Gary P. Nunn do for you ? I spent 27 years as an Expat working the oilfields. I do know the anxiousness ( Ha Ha )

[@ryantennyson7562]

@@r.watson1928 Save London Homesick Blues for special occasions.

[@shawnkubala3194]

If you're living in Great Britain, why the hell would you miss this idiotic state? It's not like Jerry jeff is gonna be showing up at the Dessau music hall, or Coupland dance hall anytime soon, if you ever saw him play live, you'd know he'd get drunk as piss and things on stage could get dicy, but that was part of his charm. Icon yes, hero no. Rule brittania, God save the king!

[@jamesdaves7779]

Im from College Station TX and back around '75 he played at a bar called the Black Hat Saloon. It was just me and my roommate plus one other in the audience. Jerry played and played as we continued to buy him pitchers of beer. One of the best nights of my life. Added value to this, when he played Lake Charles in 2009 he sat down at our table at the casino and flirted a little with my wife. Django was with him (as a reminder) and it was all great fun. The last concert a couple of months before his passing and his voice but just a whisper was a joyous celebration of his career as he didn't need to sing, everyone did so for him.

[@chaunezkalk9822]

Why shouldn’t, Jerry Jeff bring this into a song that many still, love? The people? Well, that’s the misters of how a truer invisible hand works. Absolutely!

[@bigsugar3136]

I think a lot of people used to believe this was a Dylan song, its not, a beautiful song! Great imagery!

[@stephendeiss7158]

Thank you so much for posting this. This was the first song I learned to play on my first guitar. In all likelihood, I was inspired by this episode.

[@TommySmith-to4mw]

Greatest story song ever. It touches your heart❤

[@stevewilson3793]

Jerry Jeff, legit big ole singing cowboy. RIP COWBOY.

[@davidlondon9002]

Love it-and the story behind the song

[@kellyjohnson7170]

Makes me cry😢