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I Shot The Sheriff
Eric Clapton Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

(I shot the sheriff) 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

(I shot the sheriff) 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

(I shot the sheriff) 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

(I shot the sheriff) 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

(I shot the sheriff) but I didn't shoot the deputy, oh no
(I shot the sheriff) but I did not shoot no deputy, oh no

Overall Meaning

The song "I Shot The Sheriff" by Eric Clapton was originally written and recorded by Bob Marley in 1973. The song is about a man who admits to shooting the sheriff but denies shooting the deputy, claiming he acted in self-defense. The first verse of the song sets up this narrative, as the singer explains that people are trying to track him down for killing a deputy, but he insists that he only shot the sheriff. The chorus is repeated throughout the song, with the singer reiterating his innocence.


The second verse provides some context for the singer's actions. He explains that the sheriff always hated him, but he doesn't know why. He also reveals that the sheriff would try to prevent him from growing "seeds," which could be taken metaphorically to refer to ideas or actual plants. The chorus is repeated again.


In the third verse, the singer describes how he manages to escape the town and is then pursued by the sheriff. He shoots the sheriff in self-defense, but again insists that he did not shoot the deputy. The final verse brings the song to a close by asserting that the singer knows he will face consequences for his actions, but he has no regrets.


Line by Line Meaning

I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
I'm taking responsibility for killing the sheriff, but I'm not responsible for the deputy's death


All around in my home town
Everywhere I go in my hometown


They're trying to track me down
People are trying to find and capture me


They say they want to bring me in guilty
They plan to charge me with a crime


For the killing of a deputy
They're accusing me of murdering a deputy


For the life of a deputy, but I say
They believe I killed a deputy, but I have a different story


I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense
I'm claiming that I killed the sheriff to protect myself from harm


And they say it is a capital offense
They're claiming that killing the sheriff is a serious crime


Sheriff John Brown always hated me
The sheriff had a personal problem with me


For what I don't know
I'm not sure why the sheriff had such a strong dislike for me


Every time that I plant a seed
Whenever I tried to start something new


He said, 'Kill it before it grows'
The sheriff would try to prevent me from succeeding


Freedom came my way one day
I finally had a chance to escape from my troubles


And I started out of town
I left my hometown behind


All of a sudden I see sheriff John Brown
To my surprise, I encountered the sheriff on my way out of town


Aiming to shoot me down
He had his weapon pointed at me


So I shot, I shot him down, I say
I acted out of self-preservation and shot the sheriff


Reflexes got the better of me
I acted on instinct rather than conscious thought


And what is to be must be
I feel that I had no other choice but to use force to defend myself


Every day the bucket goes to the well
This is a metaphor for the routine of life


But one day the bottom will drop out
Eventually, things will change dramatically


Yes, one day the bottom will drop out, but I say
I know things won't always be like this, but for now, I stand by my actions


I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy, oh no
I'm repeating that I didn't kill the deputy, just the sheriff




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bob Marley

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

Anonymous

01 Eric Clapton - I Shot The Sheriff - Lyrics from the Album - 1982 - Eric Clapton - Time Pieces - The Best Of Eric Clapton

I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
I shot the sheriff, but I did not 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

I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense I shot the sheriff, and they say it is a capital offence

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

I shot the sheriff, 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

I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy

Reflexes got the better of me
And what is to be must be
Every day the bucket goes to the well
But one day the bottom will drop out
Yes, one day the bottom will drop out, but I say

I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy, oh no
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy, oh no

Anonymous

02 Eric Clapton - After Midnight - Lyrics from the Album - 1982 - Eric Clapton - Time Pieces - The Best Of Eric Clapton

After midnight, we're gonna let it all hang down
After midnight, we're gonna chug-a-lug and shout
We're gonna stimulate some action
We're gonna get some satisfaction
We're gonna find out what it is all about (what it is all about, what it is all about)
After midnight, we're gonna let it all hang down (after midnight, after midnight)

After midnight, we're gonna shake your tambourine (after midnight, after midnight)
After midnight, it's all gonna be peaches and cream (after midnight, after midnight)
We're gonna cause talk and suspicion, we're gonna give an exhibition We're gonna find out what it is all about (what it is all about, what it is all about)
After midnight, we're gonna let it all hang down (we're gonna let it all hang down)
(We're gonna let it all hang down)

After midnight, we're gonna let it all hang down (we're gonna let it all hang down)
After midnight, we're gonna shake your tambourine
(Gonna shake your tambourine, gonna shake your tambourine)
After midnight, it's all gonna be peaches and cream
(Gonna shake your tambourine, gonna shake your tambourine)
We're gonna cause talk and suspicion, we're gonna give an exhibition
We're gonna find out what it is all about (what it is all about, what it is all about)
After midnight, we're gonna let it all hang down (after midnight, after midnight)

After midnight, we're gonna let it all hang down
(Gonna let it all hang down, gonna let it all hang down)
After midnight, we're gonna let it all hang down
(Gonna let it all hang down, gonna let it all hang down)
After midnight, we're gonna let it all hang down
(Gonna let it all hang down, gonna let it all hang down)
After midnight, we're gonna let it all hang down
(Gonna let it all hang down, gonna let it all hang down)

Anonymous

03 Eric Clapton - Knockin' On Heaven's Door - Lyrics from the Album - 1982 - Eric Clapton - Time Pieces - The Best Of Eric Clapton


Ma, take this badge off of me
I can't use it any more
It is getting dark, too dark to see
Feel like I am knocking on heaven's door

Knock, knock, knocking on heavens door
Knock, knock, knocking on heavens door
Knock, knock, knocking on heavens door
Knock, knock, knocking on heavens door

Ma, take these guns away from me
I can't shoot them anymore
There's a long black cloud following me
Feels like I'm knocking on heaven's door

Knock, Knock, Knock
Knock, knock, knocking on heavens door
Knock, knock, knocking on heavens door

Musical Interlude

Ma, take this badge off of me
I can't use it any more
It is getting dark, too dark to see
Feel like I am knocking on heaven's door

Knock, knock, knocking on heavens door
Knock, knock, knocking on heavens door
Knock, knock, knocking on heavens door
Knock, knock, knocking on heavens door

Musical Outro

Anonymous

4 Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight - Lyrics from the Album - 1982 - Eric Clapton - Time Pieces - The Best Of Eric Clapton


It's late in the evening,
She's wondering what clothes to wear
She puts on her make-up and brushes her long blonde hair
And then she asks me, "Do I look all right?"
And I say, "Yes, you look wonderful tonight"

Go to a party and everyone turns to see
This beautiful lady that's walking around with me
And then she asks me "Do you feel all right?"
And I say, "Yes, I feel wonderful tonight"

I feel wonderful because I see
The love light in your eyes
And the wonder of it all
Is that you just don't realize how much I love you

It's time to go home now and I've got an aching head
So I give her the car keys and she helps me to bed
And then I tell her, as I turn out the light
I say, "My darling, you were wonderful tonight
Oh my darling, you were wonderful tonight"

Anonymous

05 Eric Clapton - Layla - Lyrics from the Album - 1982 - Eric Clapton - Time Pieces - The Best Of Eric Clapton

What do you do when you get lonely
Nobody's waiting by your side
You've been running, hiding much too long
You know it's just your foolish pride

Layla, you got me on my knees
Layla, begging, darling, please
Layla, darling, won't you ease my worried mind

I tried to give you consolation
When your old man had let you down
Like a fool, fell in love with you
You turned my whole world upside down

Layla, you got me on my knees
Layla, I'm begging, darling, please
Layla, darling, won't you ease my worried mind

Make the best of the situation
Before I finally go insane
Please don’t say we'll never find a way
Tell me all my love's in vain

Layla, you got me on my knees
Layla, I'm begging, darling, please
Layla, darling, won't you ease my worried mind
Layla, you got me on my knees
Layla, I'm begging, darling, please
Layla, darling, won't you ease my worried mind

Instrumental Outro

Anonymous

06 Eric Clapton - Cocaine - Lyrics from the Album - 1982 - Eric Clapton - Time Pieces - The Best Of Eric Clapton

If you want to hang out, you've gotta take her out,
Cocaine
If you want to get down, get down on the ground,
Cocaine

She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie
Cocaine

If you got bad news, you want to kick them blues,
Cocaine
When your day is done, and you want to run
Cocaine
She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie
Cocaine

Musical Interlude

When your day is gone, and you want to ride on
Cocaine

Don’t forget this fact, you can't get it back,
Cocaine
She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie
Cocaine

She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie
Cocaine

Musical Outro

Anonymous

07 Eric Clapton - Lay Down Sally - Lyrics from the Album - 1982 - Eric Clapton - Time Pieces - The Best Of Eric Clapton

There is nothing that is wrong
In wanting you to stay here with me
I know you've got somewhere to go
But won't you make yourself at home and stay with me
And don't you ever leave
Lay down, Sally, and rest here in my arms
Don't you think you want someone to talk to
Lay down, Sally, no need to leave so soon
I've been trying all night long just to talk to you

Sun ain't nearly on the rise
We still got the moon and stars above
Underneath the velvet skies, love is all that matters
Won't you stay with me
Don't you ever leave
Lay down, Sally, and rest here in my arms
Don't you think you want someone to talk to
Lay down, Sally, no need to leave so soon
I've been trying all night long just to talk to you

Musical Interlude

I long to see the morning light
Colouring in your face so dreamily
So don't you go and say goodbye
You can lay your worries down and stay with me
Don't you ever leave
Lay down, Sally, and rest here in my arms
Don't you think you want someone to talk to?
Lay down, Sally, there's no need to leave so soon
I've been trying all night long just to talk to you
Lay down, Sally, and rest here in my arms
Don't you think you want someone to talk to
Lay down, Sally, there's no need to leave so soon
I've been trying all night long just to talk to you

Anonymous

08 Eric Clapton - Willie And The Hand Jive - Lyrics from the Album - 1982 - Eric Clapton - Time Pieces - The Best Of Eric Clapton

I know a cat named Way-out Willie
Got a cool little chick named Rocking Millie
He can walk and stroll and Susie Q
And do that crazy hand jive, too

Mama, mama, look at Uncle Joe
Doing the hand jive with Sister Flo
Grandma gave baby sister a dime
Do that hand jive one more time

Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Do that crazy hand jive

Doctor and a lawyer and an Indian chief
They all dig that crazy beat
Way-out Willie gave them all a treat
When he did that hand jive with his feet

Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Do that crazy hand jive

Willie and Millie got married last fall
They had a little Willie Junior and that ain't all
Well, the kids got crazy and it's plain to see
Doing the hand jive on TV

Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Do that crazy hand jive
He hey

Musical Outro

Anonymous

09 Eric Clapton - Promises - Lyrics from the Album - 1982 - Eric Clapton - Time Pieces - The Best Of Eric Clapton

I don't care if you never come home
I don't mind if you just keep on
Rowing away on a distant sea
Because I don't love you and you don't love me

You cause a commotion when you come to town
You give them a smile and they melt
Having lovers and friends is all good and fine
But I don't like yours and you don't like mine
La la, la la la la la
La la, la la la la la

I don't care what you do at night
Oh, and I don't care how you get your delights
I will leave you alone, I will just let it be
I don't love you and you don't love me

I got a problem.
Can you relate
I got a woman calling love hate
We made a vow we'd always be friends
How could we know that promises end

La la, la la la la la
La la, la la la la la

I tried to love you for years upon years
You refuse to take me for real
It's time you saw what I want you to see
And I would still love you, if you'd just love me

I got a problem.
Can you relate
I got a woman calling love hate
We made a vow we'd always be friends
How could we know that promises end

La la, la la la la la
La la, la la la la la
La la, la la la la la
La la, la la la la la

Anonymous

10 Eric Clapton - Swing Low Sweet Chariot - Lyrics from the Album - 1982 - Eric Clapton - Time Pieces - The Best Of Eric Clapton

Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for, to carry me home

I looked over Jordan, what do I see
Coming for to carry me home
A band of angels coming after me
Coming for, to carry me home

Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for, to carry me home

I looked over Jordan, and what do I see
Coming for to carry me home
I saw a band of angels coming after me
Coming for, to carry me home

Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for, to carry me home

Musical Interlude

Well I looked over Jordan, what do I see
Coming for to carry me home
A band of angels coming after me
Coming for, to carry me home

Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for, to carry me home

Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for, to carry me home

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