I Shot the Sheriff
F.T.G. Lyrics

I shot the sheriff
I had to defend myself from the sheriff who mistook me for someone else responsible for the many murders in the streets.

I had to shoot the sheriff it was justifiable
It was an act of self-defense, and I felt justified in doing so.

he mistaked me for somebody who was liable
The sheriff confused me with someone who is responsible for the crimes committed in the streets.

for all tha many murders l.a and war fields
The sheriff believed I was responsible for the many murders that occurred in Los Angeles and war fields.

we keep makin war shields
We are constantly creating shields to protect ourselves in this war-like environment.

streets keep souls
The streets are dangerous and can be responsible for the loss of innocence.

young brothers loose control
Young men easily lose control and can get into trouble quickly.

I seem to maintain through this
I have been able to keep myself out of trouble despite the dangerous environment.

watch where ya kick it they'll put you in a twist
Be careful where you go and who you associate with because it can lead to trouble.

and it ain't nobody like my down ass hommie
My closest friend is loyal and trustworthy.

and tha police always tryin to pin some bullshit on me
The police always try to blame me for crimes I did not commit.

I keep away from fools
I do not associate with people who commit crimes because it brings unwanted attention from the police.

they do crime and it attracts cops
People who commit crimes attract the attention of the police.

cops got guns and cuffs
The police have weapons and restraints to use to arrest people.

and cells to stuff you in
The police have jail cells to hold criminals.

They tryin' to stick with some bullshit that I did not do
The police are trying to accuse me of committing a crime that I did not commit.

you know who
Refers to the police who are trying to pin the crime on the artist.

the boys in blue
Refers to the police.

there they go with they assumpitons
They are assuming the singer is guilty of a crime without sufficient evidence.

slaverys over let us have somethin'
A reference to the systemic discrimination and oppression Black people face, even after the abolition of slavery.

why you want to pull me over?
A rhetorical question, implying the police are targeting the artist unfairly.

'cause I'm bumpin?
The police may be targeting the artist because they are playing loud music.

I just made a new song
The singer's profession is music, and they have recently released a new song.

your profession is protection with gats
The police's job is to protect people and carry weapons (gats).

then use it on him when he's tryin' to take my life away
The singer implies he would understand if the police use weapons to protect themselves if he posed a legitimate threat.

I'm just tryin' to live my life today
The singer wants to live a peaceful life and not be harassed by the police.

so I keep away from fools they do crime it attract cops
The singer avoids getting involved in criminal activity to avoid the attention of the police.

I shot the sheriff
The artist had to defend himself against the sheriff because he was falsely accused of a crime.

I didn't shoot the deputiy I didn't have to
The artist did not need to defend himself against the deputy because the deputy was not a threat.

'cause in this game they always tryin' to blast you
In this dangerous environment, people are always trying to harm you.

and leave it to tha cops to find out who did the murder
The singer believes it is the police's job to investigate and find evidence to solve a murder.

they harrase tha wrong clan and arrest tha wrong man
The police often target the wrong group and arrest innocent people.

the hommie day-dog got strapped but that's okay
The artist's friend got arrested, but it is not a problem because the artist will help him.

'cause I'm gonna work for life
The artist will work hard for the rest of his life to support his friend.

so he can see another day
The singer wants to support his friend and help him avoid being arrested or harmed.

a hommies a hommie
A true friend is always loyal and trustworthy.

a fake is a snake
A dishonest person is untrustworthy and will betray you.