Cover art for Smackwater Jack (Live) by Carole King

Smackwater Jack (Live)

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Smackwater Jack (Live) Lyrics

[Intro]
"I Can't Make It Alone!" That's too bad. 

Thank you. It's, it's nice that you know that, that I wrote that one. However, I don't know that one. 

No I always, I always think about it, how embarrassing it would be if I did forget the words or something. You know, nobody would, everybody would believe that somebody else wrote these things. It's not true, I really wrote them. But I do sometimes forget the words. 

[Verse 1]
Oh now Smackwater Jack he bought a shotgun
'Cause he was in the mood for a little confrontation
He just 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

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

[Verse 2]
Oh now Big Jim the Chief stood for law and order (Yes he did)
He called for the guard to come and surround the border
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" (Oh, Lord, Lord)
[Chorus]
You can't talk to a man
When he don't wanna understand
Oh no

[Verse 3]
Oh the account of the capture wasn't in the papers (Oh no)
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

[Chorus]
You know, you know, you can't talk to a man
With a shotgun in his hand
Shotgun in his hand

[Outro]
Smackwater Jack bought a shotgun
Oh, Smackwater Jack bought a shotgun
Oh, Smackwater Jack, yeah

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