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

^EmI shot the sheriff,^Am but I did not shoot the ^Emdeputy ^EmI shot the sheriff,^Am but I did not shoot the^Em deputy

VERSE 1:

^AmAll aro^Bmund in my h^Emome town ^AmThey're trying to^Bm track me d^Emown Th^Amey say they want t^Bmo bring me in g^Emuilty For the^Am killing of a^Bm deputy^Em For the^Am life of a^Bm deputy^Em But I say? (play MAIN RIFF)

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

^EmI shot the sheriff,^Am but I swear it was in s^Emelf-defense ^EmI shot the sheriff,^Am and they say it is a ca^Empital offense

VERSE 2:

^AmSheriff ^BmJohn Brown a^Emlways hated me ^AmFor wha^Bmt I don't k^Emnow ^AmEvery t^Bmime that I p^Emlant a seed He^Am said "Kil^Bml it before^Em it grows" He^Am said "Kil^Bml it before^Em it grows" I say!

(play MAIN RIFF) CHORUS:

^EmI shot the sheriff,^Am but I swear it was in s^Emelf-defense ^EmI shot the sheriff,^Am but I swear it was in s^Emelf-defense

VERSE 3:

^AmFreedom ^Bmcame my way^Em one day ^AmAnd I st^Bmarted out of ^Emtown yeah ^AmAll of a s^Bmudden I see s^Emheriff John Brown ^AmAiming to s^Bmhoot me d^Emown So ^AmI sho^Bmt, I s^Emhot him down I say!

(play MAIN RIFF) CHORUS:

^EmI shot the sheriff,^Am but I did not shoot the ^Emdeputy ^EmI shot the sheriff,^Am but I didn't shoot the d^Emeputy

VERSE 4:

^AmReflexe^Bms got the b^Emetter of me ^AmAnd wha^Bmt is to be ^Emmust be ^AmEvery d^Bmay the bucket f^Emalls to the well ^AmBut one day the ^Bmbottom will ^Emdrop out ^AmYes, one d^Bmay the bottom will^Em drop out But I say

(play MAIN RIFF) CHORUS:

^EmI shot the sheriff,^Am but I did not shoot the ^Emdeputy, oh no ^EmI shot the sheriff,^Am but I did not shoot no d^Emeputy, oh no

ENDING: Am Bm Em Am Bm Em (repeat and fade) -------------------------------------------- comments, corrections: s_garner@hotmail.com

Eric Clapton - I shot the sheriff