Mr. Bojangles by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Key: F# · 152 BPM · 4/4

Mr. Bojangles by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is written in F# major. Rather than one of the handful of progressions that show up again and again across pop and rock, it settles into its own 6-chord loop — B-C#-B-D#m-G#-C# — repeating with its own internal logic instead of borrowing a familiar shape. At 152 BPM, it moves at a brisk, upbeat pace.

The progression

This song cycles a 6-chord progression in F# major: B-C#-B-D#m-G#-C#. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.

Play it in other keys

CapoShape keyChords to play
Capo 2EA-B-C#m-F#
Capo 4DG-A-Bm-E
Capo 6CF-G-Am-D

Chord chart

  • 0:00 F#
  • 0:09 C
  • 0:11 C#
  • 0:15 D#m
  • 0:18 B
  • 0:20 C#
  • 0:23 B
  • 0:27 D#m
  • 0:30 G#
  • 0:32 C#
  • 0:36 D#m
  • 0:36 F#
  • 0:39 D#m
  • 0:41 B
  • 0:43 C#
  • 0:46 F#
  • 0:48 D#m
  • 0:50 B
  • 0:53 C#
  • 0:55 B
  • 1:00 D#m
  • 1:02 G#
  • 1:04 C#
  • 1:09 F#
  • 1:11 D#m
  • 1:14 B
  • 1:16 C#
  • 1:18 F#
  • 1:21 D#m
  • 1:22 F#
  • 1:23 B
  • 1:25 C#
  • 1:27 B
  • 1:32 D#m
  • 1:35 G#
  • 1:37 C#
  • 1:41 D#m
  • 1:44 C#
  • 1:46 D#m
  • 1:49 C#
  • 1:50 D#m
  • 1:54 C#
  • 1:56 F#
  • 1:58 D#m
  • 2:00 F#
  • 2:03 D#m
  • 2:04 C#
  • 2:05 B
  • 2:07 C#
  • 2:10 F#
  • 2:12 D#m
  • 2:13 C#
  • 2:14 B
  • 2:17 C#
  • 2:19 B
  • 2:24 D#m
  • 2:26 G#
  • 2:28 C#
  • 2:33 F#
  • 2:35 D#m
  • 2:37 C#
  • 2:38 B
  • 2:40 C#
  • 2:42 F#
  • 2:45 D#m
  • 2:46 F#
  • 2:47 B
  • 2:49 C#
  • 2:52 B
  • 2:56 D#m
  • 2:59 G#
  • 3:01 C#
  • 3:06 D#m
  • 3:08 C#
  • 3:10 D#m
  • 3:13 C#
  • 3:15 D#m
  • 3:18 C#
  • 3:19 D#m
  • 3:20 F#
  • 3:22 D#m
  • 3:25 F#

Frequently asked questions

What key is Mr. Bojangles in?

Mr. Bojangles is in F# major.

What chords does Mr. Bojangles use?

The core of Mr. Bojangles cycles through B, C#, D#m, G# (4 chords).

What is the tempo of Mr. Bojangles?

Mr. Bojangles runs at 152 BPM in 4/4 time.

What chord progression does Mr. Bojangles use?

Mr. Bojangles doesn't follow one of the common named progressions — it cycles its own 6-chord loop: B-C#-B-D#m-G#-C#.

What capo should I use for Mr. Bojangles?

Capo 2 and play E major shapes — that gets you open chords instead of barring in F# major.