E|-----------------------|----------------------------|
B|-----------------------|----------------------------|
G|-----------------------|----------------------------|
D|/5---3-----------------|----------------------------|
A|--------/5---3---1-/5--|-3---1----------------------|
E|-----------------------|---------3------------------|


[Chorus]

Gm                 Cm                       Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
Gm                 Cm                      Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy


[Verse 1]

Eb     Dm         Gm
All around in my home town
Eb               Dm         Gm
They're trying to track me down
  Eb                Dm             Gm
They say they want to bring me in guilty
       Eb           Dm     Gm
For the killing of a deputy
       Eb        Dm     Gm
For the life of a deputy    But I say?

(Play Main Riff)


[Chorus]

Gm                 Cm                      Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense
Gm                 Cm                      Gm
I shot the sheriff, and they say it is a capital offense


[Verse 2]

Eb      Dm          Gm
Sheriff John Brown always hated me
Eb     Dm         Gm
For what I don't know
Eb     Dm          Gm
Every time that I plant a seed
  Eb             Dm         Gm
He said "Kill it before it grows"
  Eb             Dm         Gm
He said "Kill it before it grows"   I say!

(Play Main Riff)


[Chorus]

Gm                 Cm                      Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense
Gm                 Cm                      Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense


[Verse 3]

Eb      Dm         Gm
Freedom came my way one day
Eb      Dm           Gm
And I started out of town yeah
Eb        Dm           Gm
All of a sudden I see sheriff John Brown
Eb         Dm       Gm
Aiming to shoot me down
   Eb   Dm    Gm
So I shot, I shot him down    I say!

(Play Main Riff)


[Chorus]

Gm                 Cm                       Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
Gm                 Cm                       Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot the deputy


[Verse 4]

Eb     Dm         Gm
Reflexes got the better of me
Eb     Dm         Gm
And what is to be must be
Eb     Dm             Gm
Every day the bucket falls to the well
Eb              Dm          Gm
But one day the bottom will drop out
Eb        Dm                Gm
Yes, one day the bottom will drop out   But I say

(Play Main Riff)


[Chorus]

Gm                 Cm                       Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy, oh no
Gm                 Cm                       Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot no deputy, oh no


[Ending]
Cm  Dm  Gm
Cm  Dm  Gm  (repeat and fade)