I Shot The Sheriff

I shot the sheriff,

Cm Gm

but I did not shoot the deputy.

I shot the sheriff,

Cm Gm

but I did not shoot the deputy.

D# Dm Gm

All around in my home town

D# Dm Gm

they're trying to track me down.

D# Dm Gm

They say they want to bring me in guilty

D# Dm Gm

for the killing of a deputy,

D# Dm7 Gm

for the killing of a deputy.

Gm

But I say:

 

I shot the sheriff,

Cm Gm

but I swear it was in selfdefence.

I shot the sheriff,

Cm Gm

but I swear it was in selfdefence.

D# Dm Gm

Sheriff John Brown always hated me

D# Dm Gm

for what I don't know.

D# Dm Gm

Ev'ry time that I plant a seed

D# Dm Gm

he said "Kill it before it grow,"

D# Dm7 Gm

he said "Kill it before it grow."

Gm

But I say:

 

I shot the sheriff,

Cm Gm

but I swear it was in selfdefence.

I shot the sheriff,

Cm Gm

but I swear it was in selfdefence.

D# Dm Gm

Freedom came my way one day

D# Dm Gm

and I started out of town.

D# Dm Gm

All of a sudden I see sheriff John Brown,

D# Dm Gm

aiming to shoot me down.

D# Dm7 Gm

So I shot, I shot him down.

Gm

But I say:

 

I shot the sheriff,

Cm Gm

but I did not shoot the deputy.

I shot the sheriff,

Cm Gm

but I did not shoot the deputy.

D# Dm Gm

Reflexes got the better of me

D# Dm Gm

and what is to be must be.

D# Dm Gm

Ev'ry day the bucket goes to the well,

D# Dm7 Gm

but one day the bottom will drop out,

D# Dm Gm

yes one day the bottom will drop out.

Gm

But I say: