I Shot the Sheriff

(I shot the sheriff

But I didn't shoot no deputy, oh no, oh

I shot the sheriff

But I didn't shoot no deputy, ooh, ooh, ooh)

Yeah, all around in my home town

They're tryin' to track me down

They say they want to bring me in guilty

For the killing of a deputy

For the life of a deputy, but I say

Oh, now, now, oh

(I shot the sheriff) the sheriff

(But I swear it was in self defense) oh, no (oh, oh, ooh)

Yeah, I say, I shot the sheriff oh, Lord

(And they say it is a capital offense)

Yeah! (oh, oh, ooh) yeah

Sheriff John Brown always hated me

For what, I don't know

Every time I plant a seed

He said kill it before it grow

He said kill them before they grow, and so

Read it in the news! (I shot the sheriff) oh, Lord

(But I swear it was in self-defense)

Where was the deputy? (oh, oh, ooh)

I said, I shot the sheriff

But I swear it was in self defense, yeah (ooh)

Freedom came my way one day

And I started out of town, yeah

All of a sudden I saw sheriff John Brown

Aiming to shoot me down

So I shot, I shot, I shot him down and I say

If I am guilty I will pay

(I shot the sheriff)

But I say ('Cause I didn't shoot no deputy)

I didn't shoot no deputy (oh, no-oh) oh no

(I shot the sheriff) I did

But I didn't shoot no deputy, oh (oh, oh, ooh)

Reflexes had got the better of me

And what is to be must be

Everyday the bucket a-go a well

One day the bottom a-go drop out

One day the bottom a-go drop out, I say

I, I, I, I, shot the sheriff

Lord, I didn't shot the deputy, no

I, I (shot the sheriff)

But I didn't shoot no deputy, yeah

So, yeah