I shot the sheriffBut I didn't shoot no deputy, oh no, ohI shot the sheriffBut I didn't shoot no deputy, ooh, ooh, ooh
Yeah! All around in my home townThey're tryin' to track me down, yeahThey say they want to bring me in guiltyFor the killing of a deputyFor the life of a deputy but I sayOh, now, now, oh
I shot the sheriff(But I swear it was in self-defence) oh no, oh, oh, oohYeah, I say, I shot the sheriff oh, Lord (and they say it is a capital offence)Yeah, yeah! Hear that
Sheriff John Brown always hated meFor what, I don't knowEvery time I plant a seedHe said kill it before it growHe said kill them before they grow, and so-and-soRead it in the news!
oh, Lord!But I swear it was in self-defenceWhere was the deputy? (Ooh, ooh, ooh)I say, I shot the sheriffBut I swear it was in self-defence, yeah! (Ooh)
Freedom came my way one dayAnd I started out of town, yeahAll of a sudden I saw Sheriff John Brown aiming to shoot me downSo, I shot, I shot, I shot him down and I sayIf I am guilty I will pay (pay, pay, pay, pay...)
but I say but I didn't shoot no deputyI didn't shoot no deputy, no (ooh, ooh, ooh)(I shot the sheriff) I agree(But I didn't shoot no deputy) oh(Ooh, ooh, ooh)
Reflexes had got the better of meAnd what is to be must beEvery day the bucket a-go a-wellOne day the bottom a-go drop outOne day the bottom a-go drop out
I sayI, I, I, I shot the sheriffLord, I didn't shot the deputy, noI, I (shot the sheriff)But I didn't shoot no deputy yeahSo, yeah
...
