I Shot the Sheriff

I shot the sheriff
But I did not shoot the deputy
I shot the sheriff
But I didn't 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-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
And every time that I plant the 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 to 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
What is to be must be
Every day the bucket goes to the well
One day the bottom will drop out
Yes, one day the bottom will drop out
Well, I say

I shot the sheriff
But I didn't shoot the deputy, oh, whoa
I shot the sheriff
But I did not shoot no deputy, oh no