I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy. Oh no!

1. All around in my home town they're trying to track me down.

2. Sheriff John Brown always hated me for what I don't know.

1. They say they want to bring me in guilty, for the killing of a deputy,

2. Every time that I plant a seed, he said, "Kill it before it grow,"

1. for the killing of a deputy. But I say:

2. he said "Kill it before it grow." But I say:

I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defence, oh yeah!

3. Freedom came my way one day, and I started out of town.

4. Reflexes got the better of me, and what is to be must be.

3. All of a sudden I see Sheriff John Brown, aiming to shoot me down.

4. Ev'ry day the bucket goes to the well, but one day the bottom will drop out,

3. So I shot, I shot him down. But I say:

4. yes, one day the bottom will drop out. But I say: