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 hometown
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 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 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
But 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
out of town
All of a sudden I see
sheriff John 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
Everyday the bucket
goes to the wall
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
The deputy
oh no~