I shot the sheriff
But I didn't 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 the deputy
For the life of a deputy, but I say hey

I shot the sheriff
Hey hey
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
But every time that I plant a seed
He said "Kill it before it grows"
He said "Kill it before it grows"

I shot the sheriff
I shot the sheriff
Shot him down
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

Freedom came my way one day
And I started out of town, yeah
All of a sudden I see Sheriff John Brown
Aiming to shoot me down
So I shot, I shot him down, I said

I shot the sheriff
Hey hey
I shot the sheriff
I shot the sheriff.....