Tuning: E A D G B E

[Intro] Gm Cm Dm Eb [Chorus]

^GmI shot the sheriff,^Cm but I ^Dmdid not shoot the ^Gmdeputy ^GmI shot the sheriff,^Cm but I ^Dmdidn't shoot the d^Gmeputy

[Verse 1]

^EbAll aro^Dmund in my h^Gmome town ^EbThey're trying to^Dm track me d^Gmown ^EbThey say they want^Dm to bring me in^Gm guilty ^EbFor the killi^Dmng of a^Gm deputy ^EbFor the li^Dmfe of a^Gm deputy But I say! (Riff 1)

[Riff 1] e|---------------------------------| B|---------------------------------| G|---------------------------------| D|--5--3---------------------------| A|--------5--3-----3--5--3---------| E|--------------6-----------6--3---| [Chorus]

^GmI shot the sheriff,^Cm but I s^Dmwear it was in sel^Gmf-defense ^GmI shot the sheriff,^Cm and the^Dmy say it is a capi^Gmtal offense

[Verse 2]

^EbSheriff ^DmJohn Brown a^Gmlways hated me ^EbFor wha^Dmt I don't k^Gmnow ^EbEvery t^Dmime that I p^Gmlant a seed ^EbHe said "Kill i^Dmt before it^Gm grows" ^EbHe said "Kill i^Dmt before it^Gm grows" I say! (Riff 1)

[Chorus]

^GmI shot the sheriff,^Cm but I sw^Dmear it was in ^Gmself-defense ^GmI shot the sheriff,^Cm but I sw^Dmear it was in ^Gmself-defense

[Verse 3]

^EbFreedom ^Dmcame my way^Gm one day ^EbAnd I st^Dmarted out of ^Gmtown, yeah ^EbAll of a s^Dmudden I see s^Gmheriff John Brown ^EbAiming to s^Dmhoot me d^Gmown ^EbSo I ^Dmshot, ^GmI shot him down I say! (Riff 1)

[Chorus]

^GmI shot the sheriff,^Cm but I di^Dmd not shoot the ^Gmdeputy ^GmI shot the sheriff,^Cm but I di^Dmdn't shoot the d^Gmeputy

[Verse 4]

^EbReflexe^Dms got the b^Gmetter of me ^EbAnd wha^Dmt is to be ^Gmmust be ^EbEvery d^Dmay the bucket f^Gmalls to the well ^EbBut one day the ^Dmbottom will ^Gmdrop out ^EbYes, one d^Dmay the bottom will^Gm drop out But I say! (Riff 1)

[Chorus]

^GmI shot the sheriff,^Cm but I did n^Dmot shoot the ^Gmdeputy, oh no ^GmI shot the sheriff,^Cm but I did n^Dmot shoot no d^Gmeputy, oh no

[Ending] Eb Dm Gm Eb Dm Gm (repeat and fade)

Eric Clapton - I shot the sheriff