Carole King › Lyrics › Smackwater Jack

Now, Smackwater Jack he bought a shotgun
'Cause he was in the mood for a little confrontation
He just a-let it all hang loose, he didn't think about the noose
He couldn't take no more abuse so he shot down the congregation

You can't talk to a man
With a shotgun in his hand

Now, big Jim the chief, stood for law and order
He called for the guard to come and surround the border
And now from his bulldog mouth as he led the posse South
Came the cry, "We got to ride to clean up the streets
For our wives and our daughters"

You can't talk to a man
When he don't wanna understand
No, no, no, no, no

The account of the capture wasn't in the papers
But you know, they hanged ol' Smack right then instead of later
You know, the people were quite pleased
'Cause the outlaw had been seized and on the whole
It was a very good year for the undertaker

You know, you know, you can't talk to a man
With a shotgun in his hand
A shotgun in his hand

Smackwater Jack bought a shotgun
Yeah, Smackwater Jack bought a shotgun
Oh, Smackwater Jack, yeah

Talkin' 'bout Smackwater Jack, yeah
Talkin' 'bout a-Smackwater Jack, now
Talkin' 'bout Smack, talkin' 'bout Jack
Smackwater Jack, yeah