(I shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot no deputy, oh no, oh I shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot no deputy, ooh, ooh, ooh) Yeah, all around in my home town They're tryin' 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 Oh, now, now, oh (I shot the sheriff) the sheriff (But I swear it was in self defense) oh, no (oh, oh, ooh) Yeah, I say, I shot the sheriff oh, Lord! (and they say it is a capital offense) Yeah! (oh, oh, ooh) yeah Sheriff John Brown always hated me For what, I don't know Every time I plant a seed He said kill it before it grow He said kill them before they grow, 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? (oh, oh, ooh) I say, 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, yeah All of a sudden I saw sheriff John Brown Aiming to shoot me down So I shot, 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 (oh, no-oh) oh no (I shot the sheriff) I did But I didn't shoot no deputy, oh (oh, oh, ooh) Reflexes had got the better of me And what is to be must be Every day the bucket a-go a well One day the bottom a-go drop out One day the bottom a-go drop out, I say I, I, I, I, shot the sheriff Lord, I didn't shot the deputy, no I, I (shot the sheriff) But I didn't shoot no deputy, yeah So, yeah