I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy I shot the sheriff, but I did not 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 All of a sudden I see sheriff John Brown Aiming to shoot me down So I shot, I shot him down, I say 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 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 I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy, oh no