I shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot no deputy, oh no, ohI shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot no deputy, ooh, ooh, oohYeah, all around in my own town, they trying to track me down, yeahThey say they want to bring me in guilty, for the killing of a deputyFor the life of a deputy, but I saidOh, now, now, ohI shot the sheriff, but I saw a presence of defense, Lord, no, ooh, ooh, oohYeah, I said, I shot the sheriff, oh, LordAnd they say it is a capital offense, ooh, ooh, oohSheriff John Brown always hated me, for what, I don't knowEvery time I plant a seed, he say kill it before it growHe say kill them before they growAnd so, and so, read it in the newsI shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense, where was the deputy, ooh, ooh, oohI said, I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense, yeah, ooh, ooh, oohFreedom came my way one day, and I started out of town, yeahAll of a sudden, I saw Sheriff John Brown aiming to shoot me downSo I shot, I shot, I shot him downAnd I said, if I am guilty, I will payI shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot no deputy, oh, no, ohI shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot no deputy, ooh, ooh, oohReflexes are the better of me, as what is to be must beEvery day, the bucket a go a wellOne day, the bottom a go drop outOne day, the bottom a go drop outI said, I shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot no deputy, noYeah, I, I, I shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot no deputyYeah, so, yeah*