Eric Clapton recorded a cover version that was included on his album, 461 Ocean Boulevard. It is the most successful version of the song, peaking at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Clapton's only chart-topping hit in the U.S.
I want to say 'I shot the police' but the government would have made a fuss so I said 'I shot the sheriff' instead... but it's the same idea: justice." — Bob Marley
During the controversy over the Body Count song "Cop Killer", it was frequently pointed out that there were no similar complaints about Marley's song even though they had similar themes.
I Shot The Sheriff
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot no deputy, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Yeah, all around in my home town
They're tryin' 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
Oh, now, now, oh
(I shot the sheriff) the sheriff
(But I swear it was in self defense) oh, no (oh, oh, ooh)
Yeah, I say, I shot the sheriff oh, Lord (and they say it is a capital offense)
Yeah (oh, oh, ooh) yeah
Sheriff John Brown always hated me
For what, I don't know
Every time I plant a seed
He said kill it before it grow
He said kill them before they grow, and so
Read it in the news (I shot the sheriff) oh, Lord
(But I swear it was in self-defense)
Where was the deputy? (oh, oh, ooh)
I say, I shot the sheriff
But I swear it was in self defense, yeah (ooh)
Freedom came my way one day
And I started out of town, yeah
All of a sudden I saw sheriff John Brown
Aiming to shoot me down
So I shot, I shot, I shot him down and I say
If I am guilty I will pay
(I shot the sheriff) but I say (but I didn't shoot no deputy)
I didn't shoot no deputy (oh, no-oh) oh no
(I shot the sheriff) I did
But I didn't shoot no deputy, oh (oh, oh, ooh)
Reflexes had got the better of me
And what is to be must be
Every day the bucket a-go a well
One day the bottom a-go drop out
One day the bottom a-go drop out, I say
I, I, I, I, shot the sheriff
Lord, I didn't shot the deputy, no
I, I (shot the sheriff)
But I didn't shoot no deputy, yeah
So, yeah
Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" is a reggae song that was released in 1973 on the album Burnin'. The song has a story to tell, an interesting narrative that tells a story of a man who shot the sheriff but didn't shoot the deputy. The song is mostly done in the first person narrative. The story goes that the singer is on the run as the law is after him, and they want to arrest him for killing the deputy sheriff. However, he insists that he didn't kill the deputy, but he did shoot the real culprit, the sheriff. He insists that he only acted in self-defense, and that explains why he shot the sheriff.
There are other subtle hints in the lyrics that reveal some of the singer's perspectives. He seems to be a farmer, and Sheriff John Brown has always had a problem with him. Sheriff Brown seems to be a corrupt policeman who would not let the singer carry out his farming activities peacefully. Brown would tell him to kill the seedlings before they grew, which translates to his unjust treatment of the singer. These injustices add to the tension between the two, leading the singer to shoot Brown when he saw him.
In conclusion, Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" song has a storyline that explains how the singer, out of self-defense, ended up shooting Sheriff John Brown. He insists that he didn't shoot the deputy and that it was a case of mistaken identity. It is a classic reggae song that tells a simple yet powerful narrative that is typical of Bob Marley's music.
Line by Line Meaning
I shot the sheriff
I am admitting to shooting the sheriff
But I didn't shoot no deputy
However, I did not shoot the deputy
Oh, no, no
I am not guilty of shooting the deputy
All around in my hometown
In my hometown, everywhere I go
They're tryin' to track me down
People are searching for me
They say they want to bring me in guilty
They are accusing me of a crime
For the life of a deputy
Specifically, for injuring or killing a deputy
But I say
However, I have a different perspective
I shot the sheriff
I shot the sheriff, but with a valid reason
(But I swear it was in self-defense) I swear it was in self-defense, yeah
I acted out of self-defense, not because of malice
And they say it is a capital offense
They believe that my crime is severe enough to warrant death penalty
Sheriff John Brown always hated me
The sheriff had a deep-seated grudge against me
For what, I don't know
I have no idea why
Every time I plant a seed
Every time I try to start something
He said kill them before it grow
The sheriff would try to sabotage my plans before I could accomplish anything
And so
As a result
Freedom came my way one day
One day I finally achieved freedom
And I started out of town, yeah
I left my hometown behind
Then all of a sudden I saw sheriff John Brown
However, I unexpectedly encountered the sheriff
He was aiming to shoot I down
He attempted to shoot me
So I shot, yes, I shot, shot him down
So, I acted in self-defense again, and this time I fatally injured the sheriff
Reflexes had the better of me
I acted instinctively and in self-preservation
And what is to be must be
I have to accept the consequences of my actions
Every day the bucket goes to the well
I understand that life is unpredictable
I say, one day the bottom a-go drop out
I believe that one day things will inevitably go wrong
Really sing
I truly and passionately mean what I am singing
But I didn't shoot the deputy
I am reiterating once again that I did not harm the deputy
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bob Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rashidhassan510
He died even before I was born, and to be honest there's no others musician who can replace him or be a better one like my legend, am from Kenya, his music as always been with me even at my darkest times .encouraging my and teaching at the same time , RESPEC
@daveallan9684
Way ahead of his time
@lewisjones4130
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB MARLEY NUFF RESPECT!
@lyndalynda611
It was a blessing in disguise that USA evicted, threatening to deport him, there after, he started music, otherwise he would have continued in US to be a welder, you know what i mean.
@amberharmsen2497
the big push-i shot the sheriff
@dread814
@@lewisjones4130 qrrq
@mikebro1
This song started a very long romance with reggae and I, at about 5 years old...1974ish. 50 years later, I have stuck around to see what his legacy has created! One Love, and stay Slightly Stoopid my friends! ✌️
@MFM_88
If you're listening to this in 2024, hit me 👍
@ahmetoztekin1232
Im.saying hello from cyprus island😊
@darrellmoore8194
From Philippines