i shot the sheriff
Bossa n' Marley Lyrics
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I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
All around in my own 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
I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense
I shot the sheriff, and 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 them before they grow."
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 saw 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 are 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
The song, "I Shot the Sheriff" by Bob Marley, is a deeply introspective and political song that explores themes of self-defense, systemic oppression, and justice. The song chronicles the story of the singer, who is on the run from the law after allegedly shooting the local sheriff. However, the singer claims that he only shot the sheriff in self-defense, and did not harm the deputy who was also on the scene.
The lyrics present the sheriff, John Brown as a tyrant who is out to get the singer, for reasons unknown. The line, "Every time that I plant a seed, he said 'Kill it before it grows'" may allude to the sheriff's attempts to suppress the singer's freedom, creativity or self-expression. The singer's act of violence against the sheriff is justified as an act of self-defense, a means of breaking free from the shackles of oppression.
The song can also be interpreted as a commentary on the ills of the justice system, which often fails to protect marginalized communities from systemic oppression. The song emphasizes the need for justice and equality, stating that "one day the bottom will drop out", indicating that these issues won't go away without action.
Line by Line Meaning
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
The singer killed the sheriff but did not kill the deputy.
All around in my own 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:
People in the singer's hometown are trying to catch him and convict him of killing a deputy, but the singer insists he only killed the sheriff in self-defense.
I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense
I shot the sheriff, and they say it is a capital offense
The singer killed the sheriff in self-defense, but it is considered a serious crime.
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 them before they grow."
I say:
The sheriff disliked the artist for unknown reasons and would order him to kill anything he planted. The artist still insists he killed the sheriff in self-defense.
Freedom came my way one day
And I started out of town
All of a sudden I saw sheriff john brown
Aiming to shoot me down
So I shot, I shot him down
I say:
The artist left town when he got a chance for freedom, but the sheriff came after him and tried to kill him, leading the artist to shoot him in self-defense.
Reflexes are 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:
The singer acted reflexively when he shot the sheriff, and whatever is meant to happen will happen. The singer still insists he did not shoot the deputy.
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
The singer repeats that he only killed the sheriff and did not harm the deputy.
Contributed by Addison P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.