Smackwater Jack lyrics

Here's my interpretation:

Someone called Smackwater Jack was getting tired of the pain he was suffering from a group of people abusing him and others. He decided that he had had enough and decided to confront them. Whether this was with the aid of a shotgun or whether the gun represents his 'threats' to expose the abusers, I am not sure, though I suspect the gun represents the latter. It is not uncommon for a person being threatened with exposure to say that the person confronting them is holding a gun to their head.

Shot down the congregation suggests that Jack challenged the abusers (congregation) strongly and 'shot down' their rules, reasons or excuses.

You can't reason with a man who is angry and has a strong intent to challenge the status quo and blow the whistle on the abuse. He is no longer playing by the rules of the abusers. Something stronger is required - to eliminate him.

So a charge is made and Jack is hunted down by the police officials. Big Jim, part of the group of abusers is an important person in the community and has authority over the police service. He calls for Jack to be hunted with the claim that he is dangerous to others.

The forces do catch up with Jack but the abusers do not wish the full details to come out in the press. After the capture, rather than arresting him they hang him and make it look like a suicide. (The account of the capture wasn't in the papers).

The 'people' (abusers) were pleased that someone who had stepped outside of their rules (outlaw) had been silenced.

It was a good year for the undertaker - suggesting that this was not the only contrived 'suicide' that year and that others who did not conform were disposed of.

This song serves as an example and threat to others considering challenging those who have power and use this to abuse others as they wish. 'Challenge us and we will get rid of you'.