Lyrics : Bob Marley
Music : Bob Marley
but I did not shoot the deputy
(I shot the sheriff) but I didn't 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
but I swear it was in self-defense
(I shot the sheriff) 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
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
but I did not shoot the deputy
(I shot the sheriff) but I didn't shoot the deputy
Reflexes got the better of me
And what is to be must be
Every day the bucket goes to the well
One day the bottom will drop out
Yes, one day the bottom will drop out, but I say
but I didn't shoot the deputy, oh no
(I shot the sheriff) but I did not shoot no deputy, oh no