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:

Guitar solo

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