I Shot The Sheriff

BOB MARLEY

        Gm       Gm

        I shot the sheriff,

        Cm    Cm              Gm        Gm Gm Gm

        but I did not shoot the deputy.

        Gm       Gm

        I shot the sheriff,

        Cm    Cm              Gm        Gm Gm Gm

        but I did not shoot the deputy.

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        All around in my old town

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        they're trying to track me down.

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        They say they want to bring me in guilty

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        for the killing of a deputy,

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        for the life of a deputy.

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        But I say:

        I shot the sheriff,

        but I swear it was in selfdefence.

        I shot the sheriff,

        but I swear it was in selfdefence.

        Sheriff John Brown always hated me

        for what I don't know.

        Every time I plant a seed

        he said "Kill it before it grow,"

        he said "Kill them before they grow."

        And so , and so , beat in the news:

        I shot the sheriff,

        but I swear it was in selfdefence.

        I shot the sheriff,

        but I swear it was in selfdefence.

        Freedom came my way one day

        and I started out of town.

        All of a sudden I saw sheriff John Brown,

        aiming to shoot me down.

        So I shot, I shot , I shot  him down.

        And I say:

        If I am gulty I will pay

        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 I go I well,

        one day the bottom will drop out,

        one day the bottom will drop out.

                But I say: