I Shot the Sheriff was written by Bob Marley and tells the story of a man who admits to shooting the local sheriff but denies shooting the deputy. The lyrics have been interpreted as a protest against oppression and injustice. Bob Marley is said to have been inspired by resistance to the marijuana ban in Jamaica, where the sheriff was a metaphor for the oppressive system.
Key: Gm
Gm
Cm
Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
Gm
Cm
Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
Eb
Dm
Gm
All around in my home town
Eb
Dm
Gm
They're trying to track me down
Eb
Dm
Gm
They say they want to bring me in guilty
Eb
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Gm
For the killing of a deputy
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For the life of a deputy But I say? (Play Main Riff)
Gm
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Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense
Gm
Cm
Gm
I shot the sheriff, and they say it is a capital offense
Eb
Dm
Gm
Sheriff John Brown always hated me
Eb
Dm
Gm
For what I don't know
Eb
Dm
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Every time that I plant a seed
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Dm
Gm
He said "Kill it before it grows"
Eb
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He said "Kill it before it grows" I say! (Play Main Riff)
Gm
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I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense
Gm
Cm
Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense
Eb
Dm
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Freedom came my way one day
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And I started out of town yeah
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All of a sudden I see sheriff John Brown
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Aiming to shoot me down
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So I shot, I shot him down I say! (Play Main Riff)
Gm
Cm
Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
Gm
Cm
Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot the deputy
Eb
Dm
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Reflexes got the better of me
Eb
Dm
Gm
And what is to be must be
Eb
Dm
Gm
Every day the bucket falls to the well
Eb
Dm
Gm
But one day the bottom will drop out
Eb
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Yes, one day the bottom will drop out But I say (Play Main Riff)
Gm
Cm
Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy, oh no
Gm
Cm
Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot no deputy, oh no