I Shot the Sheriff

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-defence. I shot the sheriff and they say it is a capital offence. 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'. But I say I shot the sheriff but I swear it was in self-defence. I shot the sheriff but I swear it was in self-defence. 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. But 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 well