By Bob Marleybr br I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy.br I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy.br br All around in my home townbr They're trying to track me down.br They say they want to bring me in guiltybr For the killing of a deputy,br For the life of a deputy.br But I say:br br I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense.br I shot the sheriff, and they say it is a capital offense.br br Sheriff John Brown always hated me;br For what I don't know.br Every time that I plant a seedbr He said, "Kill it before it grows."br He said, "Kill it before it grows."br I say:br br I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense.br I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense.br br Freedom came my way one daybr And I started out of town.br All of a sudden I see sheriff John Brownbr Aiming to shoot me down.br So I shot, I shot him down.br I say:br br I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy.br I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy.