I Shot the Sheriff
View chords used in this chart
[Gm]I shot the sh[Gm]eriff,
[Cm]but I [Cm]did not shoot the [Gm]deputy. [Gm]===[Gm]===[Gm]
[Eb]All a[Dm]round in my [Gm]home town [Gm]
they're [Eb]trying to [Dm]track me [Gm]down. [Gm]
They [Eb]say they want to [Dm]bring me in [Gm]guilty [Gm]
for the [Eb]killing of a [Dm]deputy,[Gm]===[Gm]
for the [Eb]killing of a [Dm7]deputy,[Gm]===[Gm]
But I say: [Gm]===[Gm]===[Gm]===[Gm]
refrain2(deux fois)
I shot the sheriff,
but I swear it was in selfdefence.
{eoc}
Sheriff John Brown always hated me
for what I don't know.
Ev'ry time that I plant a seed
he said "Kill it before it grow," (deux fois)
But I say:
(refrain2)
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.
But I say:
(refrain1)
Reflexes got the better of me
and what is to be must be.
Ev'ry 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:
How to play I Shot the Sheriff
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is Gm. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.