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Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
C · Am · Dm · G · F
Mr. Bojangles Chords – Guitar
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Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
C · Am · Dm · G · F
Mr. Bojangles Chords – Ukulele
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Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
C · Am · Dm · G · F
Mr. Bojangles Chords – Piano
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Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
C · Am · Dm · G · F
Mr. Bojangles Chords – Banjo
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Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
C · Am · Dm · G · F
Mr. Bojangles Chords – Mandolin
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Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
C · Am · Dm · G · F
Mr. Bojangles Chords – Harmonica
Jerry Jeff Walker’s folk classic about a street performer met in a New Orleans jail. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.
Folk Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
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Tip: Use a light, bouncy strum to match the storytelling feel.
Chords & Structure
Full Song
Verse 1
C – G
F – C
F – C – G
F
C – G
F – C
Verse 2
C – G
F – C
F – C – G
F – C
G – C
F – C
Chorus
He said, “[F]I dance now at every [C]chance in honky [G]tonks for drinks and [C]tips
But [F]most the time I [C]spend behind these [G]county bars
‘[F]Cause I [C]drinks a [G]bit”
He [C]shook his head, and as he [G]shook his head
I heard [F]someone ask [C]please
[/verse]
Verse 3
C – G
F
C – G
F – C
G – C
Verse 4
C – G
F – C
F – C – G
F – C
G – C
F – C
Chorus
He said, “[F]I dance now at every [C]chance in honky [G]tonks for drinks and [C]tips
But [F]most the time I [C]spend behind these [G]county bars
‘[F]Cause I [C]drinks a [G]bit”
He [C]shook his head, and as he [G]shook his head
I heard [F]someone ask [C]please
[/verse]
Verse 5
C – G
F
C – G
F – C
G – C
Verse 6
C – G
F – C
F – C – G
F
C – G
F – C
Chorus
He said, “[F]I dance now at every [C]chance in honky [G]tonks for drinks and [C]tips
But [F]most the time I [C]spend behind these [G]county bars
‘[F]Cause I [C]drinks a [G]bit”
He [C]shook his head, and as he [G]shook his head
I heard [F]someone ask [C]please
[/verse]
Outro
C – G
F
C – G
F – C
G – C
F – C
G – C
Practice tip: Master the simple C, F, and G chord changes before adding the strum pattern; the story is driven by the lyrics, so keep the chords clean and steady.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Mr. Bojangles"?
You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: C, Am, Dm, G and F.
Is "Mr. Bojangles" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "Mr. Bojangles" in?
It is in the key of C.
Who wrote "Mr. Bojangles"?
It was written by Jerry Jeff Walker, and released in 1968.