I Shot The Sheriff
Lee Ritenour & Maxi Priest Lyrics
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But I didn't shoot no deputy
I shot the sheriff
But I didn't shoot no deputy no no no
All around my home town
Said they're tryin' to track me down
They say they wanna bring me in guilty
Said for the life of a deputy
But I say oh Lord
I shot the sheriff
But I swear it was in selfdefence oh Lord
I shot the sheriff oh Lord
They're saying it is a capital offence
Sheriff John Brown always hated me
And for what I dont know nah
Every time I plant a seed yeah
He said kill it before it grows
He said kill them before they grow oh Lord
I shot the sheriff
But I swear it was in selfdefence
It was I who shot the sheriff
But I swear it was in selfdefence
You wouldn't understand understand understand
I shot the sheriff
But I swear it was in selfdefence oh Lord
It was I who shot the sheriff
But I swear it was in selfdefence yeah
Freedom came my way one day
And I started out of town yes I did
And all of a sudden I saw sheriff John Brown
Aiming to shoot me down
So I shot I shot I shot him down yes I did Lord
And if I am guilty I will pay
I shot the sheriff
But I didn't shoot no deputy
I shot the sheriff
But I swear it was a self defence thing ooh Lord
I shot the sheriff
But I did not shoot no I swear I didn't Lord
I shot the sheriff
You don't understand you don't understand a word I'm saying hey oh Lord
I shot the sheriff
I've the liberty to tell me that is a capital offence oh Lord
I shot the sheriff
But I did not shoot no deputy no no no no
I shot the sheriff
I shot the sheriff
I shot the sheriff
"I Shot the Sheriff" is a song about a man who admits to killing the Sheriff but denies shooting his deputy. The song is ultimately about the idea of self-defense and the justification of violence in certain situations. The singer in the song claims that the Sheriff, named John Brown, had always been against him and his way of life. He claims that Brown would often tell him to "kill it before it grows," referring to the singer's attempts to grow something new or live his life differently. Ultimately, when the Sheriff aims to shoot him down, the singer claims he acted in self-defense and shot him.
The singer's situation represents a larger theme of confrontation between the authorities and the people they are meant to protect. The song expresses the frustration that many feel with law enforcement and the idea that sometimes it is necessary to take action in order to protect oneself and those we care about. The use of "oh Lord" reflects the religious overtones of many revolutionary movements, where people relied on the divine for guidance and justification for their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
I shot the sheriff
The singer is admitting that they killed Sheriff John Brown.
But I didn't shoot no deputy
The singer is clarifying that they did not kill any deputies.
But I swear it was in selfdefence oh Lord
The singer claims that they shot the sheriff because they were defending themselves.
They're saying it is a capital offence
The artist acknowledges that they are being accused of a serious crime.
Sheriff John Brown always hated me
The artist believes that the sheriff was biased against them for an unknown reason.
He said kill them before they grow oh Lord
The singer is quoting the sheriff as having a tendency to destroy anything the singer tries to create.
I started out of town yes I did
The singer left their hometown when they had a chance to escape.
Aiming to shoot me down
The artist thinks that Sheriff John Brown was actively pursuing and trying to kill them.
And if I am guilty I will pay
The artist is willing to face any legal consequences if they are found guilty of the crime.
You don't understand you don't understand a word I'm saying hey oh Lord
The artist feels misunderstood and unheard in their defense.
I've the liberty to tell me that is a capital offence oh Lord
The singer thinks that being accused of a capital offense puts their freedom in jeopardy.
I shot the sheriff
The artist reiterates that they killed the sheriff.
Writer(s): Bob Marley
Contributed by Miles H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.