I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy oh no, ohhh.
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy oo oo ooooo.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 them before they grow'
  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 saw sheriff John Brown
  Aiming to shoot me down.
  So I shot, I shot him down.
  I say If i am guilty 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 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.