I shot the sheriff But I didn't shoot the deputy Oh, no, oh I shot the sheriff But I didn't shoot no deputy Ooh, ooh (yeah) All around in my own town They're trying to track me down, yeah They say they want to bring me in guilty For the killing of a deputy For the life of a deputy But I say Oh, now, now, oh I shot the sheriff (the sheriff) But I swear it was in self-defense (no, no) Ooh, ooh, ooh (yeah, I said) I shot the sheriff (oh, Lord) And they say it is a capital offense (oh now, yeah) Ooh, ooh, ooh (yeah, hear this) Sheriff 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 them before they grow And so and so Read it in the news I shot the sheriff (oh, Lord) But I swear it was in self-defense (where was the deputy) Ooh, ooh, ooh (I said) I shot the sheriff But I swear it was in self-defense Yeah (ooh) Freedom came my way one day And I started out of town All of a sudden I saw sheriff John Brown Aiming to shoot me down So I shot, I shot him down And I say If I am guilty I will pay I shot the sheriff (but I say) But I didn't shoot no deputy (I didn't shoot no deputy, no) Oh, no, oh I shot the sheriff (I did) But I didn't shoot the deputy (oh) Ooh, ooh, ooh (yeah) Reflexes had the better of me And what is to be must be Every day the bucket a-go-a well But one day the bottom a-go drop out Yes, one day the bottom a-go drop out I say I, I, I, I shot the sheriff Lord, I didn't shoot the deputy, no Yeah, I, I (shot the sheriff) But I didn't shoot no deputy, yeah So, yeah