I shot the sheriff
But I didn’t shoot no deputy, oh no, oh
I shot the sheriff
But I didn’t shoot no deputy, ooh, ooh, ooh
Yeah, all around in my home town
They’re trying to track me down, yeah
They say they want to bring me in guilty
For the killing of a deputy
For the life of a deputy
But I say
Oh, now, now, oh
I shot the sheriff, the sheriff
But I swear it was in self-defense, oh no
Ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah
I say, I shot the sheriff, oh Lord
And they say it is a capital offense, yeah
Ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah
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
Read it in the news
I shot the sheriff, oh Lord
But I swear it was in self-defense
Where was the deputy? Ooh, ooh, ooh
I say, I shot the sheriff
But I swear it was in self-defense, yeah
Ooh-ooh
Freedom came my way one day
And I started out of town, yeah
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 guilty I will pay (pay, pay, pay, pay, pay)
I shot the sheriff
But I say, but I didn’t shoot no deputy
I didn’t shoot no deputy, oh no, ooh, ooh, ooh
I shot the sheriff, I did
But I didn’t shoot no deputy, oh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Reflexes had the better of me
And what is to be must be
Every day the bucket a-go a well
One day the bottom a-go drop out
One day the bottom a-go drop out
I say
I-I-I, I shot the sheriff
Lord, I didn’t shot the deputy, no
Yeah, I-I shot the sheriff
But I didn’t shoot no deputy, yeah, so, yeah
Interpreting the Story of “I Shot The Sheriff”
“I Shot The Sheriff” by Bob Marley stands as one of reggae’s most iconic and thought-provoking songs. Through its compelling narrative, Marley immerses listeners in the story of a man accused of killing a lawman. The repeated claim of self-defense and the denial of having shot the deputy evoke themes of injustice, persecution, and the fight for survival. The song’s lyrics hint at societal oppression, with Sheriff John Brown representing authority figures who suppress and target the protagonist. Marley’s words, “Every time I plant a seed, he said kill it before it grow,” reflect the struggle against those who aim to destroy hope and possibility before it can flourish. The refrain and storytelling style invite listeners to question authority and empathize with those who face unfair accusations and adversity.
Song Credits
- Songwriter: Bob Marley
- Release Year: 1973
- Label: Island Records