#. [Ami]I shot the [Dmi]sheriff, but I did not shoot the [Ami]deputy
I shot the sheriff, [Dmi]but I did not shoot the [Ami]deputy

[Dmi]All aro[Emi]und in my ho[Ami]me town
[Dmi]They're trying to [Emi]track me [Ami]down
[Dmi]They say they want to[Emi] bring me in gu[Ami]ilty
For the [Dmi]killing of a [Emi]deputy[Ami]
For the [Dmi]life of a [Emi]deputy[Ami] But I say

#. I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense
I shot the sheriff, and they say it is a capital offense

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 it before it grows" I say! 

#. I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense
I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense

Freedom came my way one day
And I started out of town yeah
All of a sudden I see sheriff John Brown
Aiming to shoot me down
So I shot, I shot him down I say! 

#. I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
I shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot the deputy

Reflexes got the better of me
And what is to be must be
Every day the bucket falls to the well
But one day the bottom will drop out
Yes, one day the bottom will drop out But I say 

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