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 home town
They're trying to track me down
They say they want to bring me in guilty
For the killing of a dirty guilty.
For the life of a dirty guilty.
But I say

I shot the sheriff but I swear it was in self
defence

I shot the sheriff and they say it is a capital
offence

Sheriff Jhon Brown always baited me
For what I don't know
Everytime that I plant a seed
He said kill it before it grows
He said kill it before it grows
I say
I shot the sheriff but I swear it was in self
defence
I shot the sheriff but I swear it was in self
defence

Freedom came my way one day
And I started of town then
All of a sudden I see Sheriff Jhon Brown
Aiming to shoot me down
So I shot I shot him down
But 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 got 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