I Shot the Sheriff

I shot the sheriff

But I did not shoot the deputy

I shot the sheriff

But I did not shoot the deputy

All around in my own town

They're trying 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

I say

I shot the sheriff

But I swear it was in self-defense

I shot the sheriff

And they say it is a capital offense

Sheriff John Brown always hated me

For what I don't know

Every time that I plant a seed

He said: Kill it before it grows

He said: Kill them before they grow

I say

I shot the sheriff

But I swear it was in self-defense

I shot the sheriff

But I swear it was in self-defense

Freedom came my way one day

And I started out of town

All of a sudden I saw sheriff John Brown

Aiming to shoot me down

So I shot, I shot him down

I say

I shot the sheriff

But I did not shoot the deputy

I shot the sheriff

But I did not shoot the deputy

Reflexes had the better of me

And what is to be must be

Every day the bucket goes to the well

But one day the bottom will drop out

Yes, one day the bottom will drop out

I say

I shot the sheriff

But I did not shoot the deputy

I shot the sheriff

But I did not shoot the deputy