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 tryin' to track me down
They say they want to bring me in guilty
For the killing of a deputy
For the killing of a deputy

But I say...

I shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot the deputy
I shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot the deputy

Sheriff John Brown always hated me
For what I don't know
Every time that I planted a seed
He said, "Kill it before it grow."
He said, "Kill them before it grow."

But I say...

I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self defence
I shot the sheriff, and they say it was a capital offence

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
Yeah, one day the bottom will drop out
But I say...