I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy All around my hometown, 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 wasn't 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 And every time that I planned for a scene He said, kill it before it grows He said, kill it before it grows I say I shot the sheriff, but I swear it wasn't self-defense I shot the sheriff, but I swear it wasn't self-defense Freedom came my way one day And I started out in town, yeah All of a sudden I see Sheriff John Brown They beat the shoot me down So I shot, I shot him down I shot I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy I shot the sheriff, but I didn't 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 I say I shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot the deputy Oh no I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot no deputy Oh no I shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot the deputy