Smackwater Jack
Carole King Lyrics

Now, Smackwater Jack
Starting the song by introducing the central character, 'Smackwater Jack'

He bought a shotgun
Smackwater Jack purchased a firearm to address a problem he had at the moment

'Cause he was in the mood
The reason behind Smackwater Jack's firearm possession was his temporary mental state

For a little confrontation
The intention behind buying a shotgun was to have a face-off with someone

He just a-let it all hang loose
Smackwater Jack was not feeling any constraint or inhibition

He didn't think about the noose
Smackwater Jack did not consider the possible negative consequences of his actions

He couldn't take no more abuse
Smackwater Jack was fed up with something or someone, leading him to take action

So he shot down the congregation
Smackwater Jack fired his shotgun in the direction of a group of people

You can't talk to a man
The singer believes that trying to communicate with a man who carries a firearm is futile

With a shotgun in his hand
The presence of a shotgun makes communication impossible, per the singer

Now, Big Jim the chief
The introduction of a second character, 'Big Jim,' who holds a position of authority

Stood for law and order
Big Jim believed in upholding the establishment, particularly regarding enforcement of the law

He called for the guard to come
Big Jim summoned reinforcements to address the situation

And surround the border
The posse was instructed to encircle the targeted space or person in question

Now, from his bulldog mouth
The depiction of Big Jim as an aggressive, forceful authority figure

As he led the posse south
Big Jim led the team in the opposite direction of where they originated

Came the cry, "We got to ride
Big Jim led the posse with forceful exhortations

To clean up the streets
Big Jim's purpose was to maintain law and order in the city

For our wives and our daughters" (oh, no no)
Big Jim's reasons for enforcing the law with such urgency and energy were presumably to protect and care for the women in the community

When he don't wanna understand
The second point where the singer mentions futility in communication--this time with a man who is difficult to reason with

The account of the capture
A reference to the aftermath of the previous action, the capture of Smackwater Jack

Wasn't in the papers
The capture was not featured in the news

But you know, they hanged ol' Smack right then
However, the townspeople did carry out capital punishment on the captured individual soon after

Instead of later
The execution was not delayed

You know, the people were quite pleased
The residents of the community were, by and large, satisfied with the outcome

'Cause the outlaw had been seized
The satisfaction was due to the successful capture of a criminal

And on the whole, it was a very good year
The singer views it as a productive year due to this incident and others like it.

For the undertaker
The funeral director benefited from the number of deaths that occurred in the area that year.

Smackwater Jack, yeah
Repeating the name of the central character

Talkin' 'bout a Smackwater Jack, yeah
Reiterating the singer's focus on Smackwater Jack rather than on Jim and the others

(Ooh, and his shotgun)
An added detail, pointing out the weapon Smackwater Jack possessed

Talkin' 'bout a Smackwater Jack, ow
Once again, focusing on the central character of the song

(Ooh, talkin' 'bout Jack and his shotgun)
Reiterating the focus on the narrative point of the song

(Talkin' 'bout Smack)
Repeating the name of one of the primary characters in the narrative of the song

(Talkin' 'bout Jack)
Adding another character's name to the focus of the song

(Smackwater Jack, yeah)
Repeating the main character's name as he is the primary focus of the tune.