Artist: Eric Clapton Album: Time Pieces The Best Of Eric Clapton {1982}

I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
I shot the sheriff, but I didn't 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, yeah
All of a sudden I see sheriff John Brown
Aiming to shoot me down
So I shot, I shot him down

And I say
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

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

After midnigh, we're gonna let it all hang down
After midnight we're gonna chug-a-lug and shout
We're gonna stimulate some action
We're gonna get some satisfaction
We're gonna find out what it is all about
After midnight we gonna let it all hang down

After midnight we're gonna shake your tambourine
After midnight it's all gonna be peaches and cream
We're gonna cause talk and suspicion
We're gonna give an exhibition
We're gonna find out what it is all about
After midnight we're gonna let it all hang down

After midnight we're gonna let it all hang down
After midnight we're gonna shake your tambourine
After midnight it's all gonna be peaches and cream
We're gonna cause talk and suspicion
We're gonna give an exhibition
We're gonna find out what it is all about

After midnight we're gonna let it all hang down
After midnight we're gonna let it all hang down
After midnight we're gonna let it all hang down
After midnight we're gonna let it all hang down
After midnight we're gonna let it all hang down

Yeah, after midnight
After midnight we're gonna let it all hang down

Ma, take this badge off of me
I can't use it any more
It's getting dark, too dark to see
Feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door

Knock, knock, knockin' on heavens door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heavens door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heavens door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heavens door

Ma, take these guns away from me
I can't shoot them any more
There's a long black cloud following me
Feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door

Knock, knock, knockin'
Knock, knock, knockin' on heavens door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heavens door

Ma, take this badge off of me
I can't use it any more
It's getting dark, too dark to see
Feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door

Knock, knock, knockin' on heavens door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heavens door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heavens door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heavens door

It's late in the evening, she's wondering what clothes to wear
She puts on her make-up and brushes her long blonde hair
And then she asks me, "Do I look all right?"
And I say, "Yes, you look wonderful tonight."

We go to a party and everyone turns to see
This beautiful lady that's walking around with me
And then she asks me, "Do you feel all right?"
And I say, "Yes, I feel wonderful tonight."

I feel wonderful because I see the love light in your eyes
And the wonder of it all is that you just don't realize how much I love you

It's time to go home now and I've got an aching head
So I give her the car keys and she helps me to bed
And then I tell her, as I turn out the light
I say, "My darling, you were wonderful tonight
Oh my darling, you were wonderful tonight."

What'll you do when you get lonely
And nobody's waiting by your side
You've been running and hiding much too long
You know it's just your foolish pride

Layla, you've got me on my knees
Layla, I'm begging, darling please
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind

I tried to give you consolation
When your old man had let you down
Like a fool, I fell in love with you
Turned my whole world upside down

Layla, you've got me on my knees
Layla, I'm begging, darling please
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind

Let's make the best of the situation
Before I finally go insane
Please don't say, "We'll never find a way."
And tell me all my love's in vain

Layla, you've got me on my knees
Layla, I'm begging, darling please
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind
Layla, Layla, you've got me on my knees
Layla, I'm begging, darling please
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind

If you wanna hang out you've got to take her out - cocaine
If you wanna get down, down on the ground - cocaine
She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie - cocaine

If you got bad news, you wanna kick them blues - cocaine
When your day is done and you wanna run - cocaine
She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie - cocaine

If your thing is gone and you wanna ride on - cocaine
Don't forget this fact, you can't get it back - cocaine
She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie - cocaine
She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie - cocaine

There is nothing that is wrong
In wanting you to stay here with me
I know you've got somewhere to go
But won't you make yourself at home and stay with me
And don't you ever leave

Lay down, Sally, and rest you in my arms
Don't you think you want someone to talk to
Lay down, Sally, no need to leave so soon
I've been trying all night long just to talk to you

The sun ain't nearly on the rise
And we still got the moon and stars above
Underneath the velvet skies
Love is all that matters - won't you stay with me
And don't you ever leave

Lay down, Sally, and rest you in my arms
Don't you think you want someone to talk to
Lay down, Sally, no need to leave so soon
I've been trying all night long just to talk to you

I long to see the morning light
Coloring your face so dreamily
So don't you go and say goodbye
You can lay your worries down and stay with me
And don't you ever leave

Lay down, Sally, and rest you in my arms
Don't you think you want someone to talk to
Lay down, Sally, there's no need to leave so soon
I've been trying all night long just to talk to you
Lay down, Sally, and rest you in my arms
Don't you think you want someone to talk to
Lay down, Sally, there's no need to leave so soon
I've been trying all night long just to talk to you

I know a cat named Way-Out Willie
Got a cool little chick named Rocking Millie
He can walk and stroll and Susie Q
And do that crazy hand jive, too

Mama, mama, look at Uncle Joe
Doing the hand jive with sister Flo
Grandma gave baby sister a dime
Do that hand jive one more time

Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Do that crazy hand jive

Doctor and a lawyer and an Indian chief
They all dig that crazy beat
Way-Out Willie gave them all a treat
When he did that hand jive with his feet

Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Do that crazy hand jive

Willie and Millie got married last fall
They had a little Willie junior and that ain't all
Well, the kids got crazy and it's plain to see
Doing the hand jive on TV

Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Do that crazy hand jive, hey, hey

I don't care if you never come home
I don't mind if you just
Keep on rowing away on a distant sea
Cos I don't love you and you don't love me

You cause a commotion when you come to town
You give 'em a smile and they melt
Having lovers and friends is all good and fine
But I don't like yours and you don't like mine

La, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la

I don't care what you do at night
Oh, and I don't care how you get your delights
I'm gonna leave you alone, I'll just let it be
I don't love you and you don't love me

I got a problem, can you relate
I got a woman calling love hate
We made a vow we'd always be friends
How could we know that promises end

La, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la

I tried to love you for years upon years
You refuse to take me for real
It's time you saw what I want you to see
And I'd still love you if you'd just love me

I got a problem, can you relate
I got a woman calling love hate
We made a vow we'd always be friends
How could we know that promises end

La, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la

Swing low sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home

Look over Jordan, what do I see
Coming for to carry me home
A band of angels coming after me
Coming for to carry me home

Swing low sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home

I looked over Jordan and what did I see
Coming for to carry me home
I saw a band of angels coming after me
Coming for to carry me home

Swing low sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home

I looked over Jordan, what do I see
Coming for to carry me home
A band of angels coming after me
Coming for to carry me home

Swing low sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home

Standing at the crossroads, trying to read the signs
To tell me which way I should go
To find the answer and all the time I know
Plant your love and let it grow

Let it grow, let it grow
Let it blossom, let it flow
In the sun, the rain, the snow
Love is lovely, let it grow

Looking for a reason to check out of my mind
Trying hard to get a friend that I can count on
But there's nothing left to show
Plant your love and let it grow

Let it grow, let it grow
Let it blossom, let it flow
In the sun, the rain, the snow
Love is lovely, so let it grow, let it grow

Time is getting shorter and there's much for you to do
Only ask and you will get what you are needing
The rest is up to you
Plant your love and let it grow

Let it grow, let it grow
Let it blossom, let it flow
In the sun, the rain, the snow
Love is lovely, so let it

Let it grow, let it grow
Let it blossom, let it flow
In the sun, the rain, the snow
Love is lovely, so let it grow