I SHOT THE SHERIFF Eric Clapton from the album "461 Ocean Boulevard" (1974) transcribed by Steve Garner (s_garner@hotmail.com) CHORUS:

^GmI shot the sheriff,^Cm but I did not shoot the ^Gmdeputy ^GmI shot the sheriff,^Cm but I did not shoot the^Gm deputy

VERSE 1:

^CmAll aro^Dmund in my h^Gmome town ^CmThey're trying to^Dm track me d^Gmown Th^Cmey say they want t^Dmo bring me in g^Gmuilty For the^Cm killing of a^Dm deputy^Gm For the^Cm life of a^Dm deputy^Gm But I say' (play MAIN RIFF)

MAIN RIFF: |------------------------------| |------------------------------| |------------------------------| |--5--3------------------------| |--------5--3--1--5--3--1------| |--------------------------3---| CHORUS:

^GmI shot the sheriff,^Cm but I swear it was in s^Gmelf-defense ^GmI shot the sheriff,^Cm and they say it is a ca^Gmpital offense

VERSE 2:

^CmSheriff ^DmJohn Brown a^Gmlways hated me ^CmFor wha^Dmt I don't k^Gmnow ^CmEvery t^Dmime that I p^Gmlant a seed He^Cm said "Kil^Dml it before^Gm it grows" He^Cm said "Kil^Dml it before^Gm it grows" I say!

(play MAIN RIFF) CHORUS:

^GmI shot the sheriff,^Cm but I swear it was in s^Gmelf-defense ^GmI shot the sheriff,^Cm but I swear it was in s^Gmelf-defense

VERSE 3:

^CmFreedom ^Dmcame my way^Gm one day ^CmAnd I st^Dmarted out of ^Gmtown yeah ^CmAll of a s^Dmudden I see s^Gmheriff John Brown ^CmAiming to s^Dmhoot me d^Gmown So ^CmI sho^Dmt, I s^Gmhot him down I say!

(play MAIN RIFF) CHORUS:

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

VERSE 4:

^CmReflexe^Dms got the b^Gmetter of me ^CmAnd wha^Dmt is to be ^Gmmust be ^CmEvery d^Dmay the bucket f^Gmalls to the well ^CmBut one day the ^Dmbottom will ^Gmdrop out ^CmYes, one d^Dmay the bottom will^Gm drop out But I say

(play MAIN RIFF) CHORUS:

^GmI shot the sheriff,^Cm but I did not shoot the ^Gmdeputy, oh no ^GmI shot the sheriff,^Cm but I did not shoot no d^Gmeputy, oh no

ENDING: Cm Dm Gm Cm Dm Gm (repeat and fade) -------------------------------------------- comments, corrections: s_garner@hotmail.com

Eric Clapton - I shot the sheriff