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 deputyAll 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 deputy

For the life of a deputy, but I sayI shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense

I shot the sheriff, and they say it is a capital offenseSheriff 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 it before it grows", I sayI shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense

I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defenseFreedom came my way one day

And I started out of town

All of a sudden I see sheriff John Brown

Aiming to shoot me down

So I shot, I shot him down, I sayI shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy

I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputyReflexes 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, but I sayI shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy, oh no

I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy, oh no

Songwriters

BOB MARLEYPublished by

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