Smackwater Jack
View chords used in this chart
Lead in C F C F
C F C F C F
Now Smackwater Jack, he bought a shotgun
C F C F C F
Cause he was in the mood for a little confrontation
C
He just let it all hang loose
F7
He didn't think about the noose
G F
He couldn't take no more abuse
C F
So he shot down the congregation
C G Am
You can't talk to a man
G Am7 F
With a shotgun in his hand
F7 C
Shotgun in his hand
C F C F C F
Now Big Jim the chief stood for law and order
C F C F C F
He called for the guards to come and surround the border
C
Now from his bulldog mouth
F7
As he led the posse south
G
Came the cry, we got the right
F F7 C F C
To clean up the streets for our wives and our daughters
G Am
You can't talk to a man
G Am7 F
When he don't want to understand
C F C F C
No, no, no, no
C F C F C F
The account of the capture wasn't in the papers
C F C F C F
But you know, they hanged ole Smack right then, instead of later
C
You know the people were quite pleased
F7
Cause the outlaw had been seized
G F
And on the whole, it was a very good year
C F C
For the undertaker
G Am
You know, you know, you can't talk to a man
G Am7 F
With a shotgun in his hand
F7 C F C
Shotgun in his hand
C F
Smack water Jack, yeah
F F C F
Smackwater Jack bought a shotgun
C F C F
Talkin' about Smack, talkin about Jack
C F C
Smackwater Jack, yeah
How to play Smackwater Jack
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is C. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.