I shot the sheriff, b ut I did not
shoot the deputy
I shot the sheriff, b ut I did not
shoot the deputy
Al l around in my home town
Th ey're trying to track me down
They say they want to bring me in guilty
For the k illing of a deputy
For the l ife of a deputy But I say ?
I shot the sheriff, b ut I swear
it was in self defense
I shot the sheriff, a nd they say
it is a capital offense
Sh eriff John Brown always hated me
Fo r what I don't know
Ev ery time that I plant a seed
He s aid Kill it before it grows
He s aid Kill it before it grows I say
I shot the sheriff, b ut I swear
it was in self defense
I shot the sheriff, b ut I swear
it was in self defense
Fr eedom came my way one day
An d I started out of town yeah
Al l of a sudden I see sheriff John Brown
Ai ming to shoot me down
So I shot, I shot him down I say!
I shot the sheriff, b ut I did not
shoot the deputy
I shot the sheriff, b ut I didn't
shoot the deputy
Re flexes got the better of me
An d what is to be must be
Ev ery day the bucket falls to the well
Bu t one day the bottom will drop out
Ye s, one day the bottom will drop out But I say
I shot the sheriff, b ut I did not
shoot the deputy, oh no
I shot the sheriff, b ut I did not
shoot no deputy, oh no
