I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy. 
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy. 

All around in my home town 
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. 
Every time that I plant a 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 of town. 
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 did not shoot the deputy. 

Reflexes got the better of me 
And what is to be must be. 
Every day the bucket goes to the well, 
But one day the bottom will drop out, 
Yes, one day the bottom will drop out. 
But I say: 

I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot no deputy, oh no. 
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot no deputy, oh no.