I Shot The Sheriff
View chords used in this chart
Cm Gm
But I did not shoot the deputy
Gm
I shot the sheriff
Cm Gm
But I did not shoot the deputy
Eb7+ Dm7 Gm
All around in my old town
Eb7+ Dm7 Gm
They're trying to track me down
Eb7+ Dm7 Gm
They say they want to bring me in guilty
Eb7+ Dm7 Gm
For the killing of a deputy
Eb7+ Dm7 Gm
For the life of a deputy
But I say
Riff
E|-3-------------------------------------|
B|---6-3-----3---------------------------|
G|-------5-3---5-3-----------------------|
D|-----------------5---------------------|
A|---------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------|
Gm
I shot the sheriff
Cm Gm
But I swear it was in selfdefence
Gm
I shot the sheriff
Cm Gm
And they say it is a capital offence
Eb7+ Dm7 Gm
Sheriff John Brown always hated me
Eb7+ Dm7 Gm
For what I don't know
Eb7+ Dm7 Gm
Every time I plant a seed
Eb7+ Dm7 Gm
He said "Kill it before it grow"
Eb7+ Dm7 Gm
He said "Kill them before they grow"
(Riff)
And so , and so , beat in the news
Riff
E|-3-------------------------------------|
B|---6-3-----3---------------------------|
G|-------5-3---5-3-----------------------|
D|-----------------5---------------------|
A|---------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------|
Gm
I shot the sheriff
Cm Gm
But I swear it was in selfdefence
Gm
I shot the sheriff
Cm Gm
But I swear it was in selfdefence
Eb7+ Dm7 Gm
Freedom came my way one day
Eb7+ Dm7 Gm
And I started out of town
Eb7+ Dm7 Gm
All of a sudden I saw sheriff John Brown
Eb7+ Dm7 Gm
Aiming to shoot me down
Eb7+ Dm7
So I shot, I shot , I shot him down
(Riff)
And I say
Riff
E|-3-------------------------------------|
B|---6-3-----3---------------------------|
G|-------5-3---5-3-----------------------|
D|-----------------5---------------------|
A|---------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------|
If I am gulty I will pay
Gm
I shot the sheriff
Cm Gm
But I did not shoot the deputy
Gm
I shot the sheriff
Cm Gm
But I did not shoot the deputy
Eb7+ Dm7 Gm
Reflexes got the better of me
Eb7+ Dm7 Gm
And what is to be must be
Eb7+ Dm7 Gm
Every day the bucket I go I well
Eb7+ Dm7 Gm
One day the bottom will drop out
Eb7+ Dm7 Gm
One day the bottom will drop out
(Riff)
But I say
Riff
E|-3-------------------------------------|
B|---6-3-----3---------------------------|
G|-------5-3---5-3-----------------------|
D|-----------------5---------------------|
A|---------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------|
Gm
I shot the sheriff
Cm Gm
But I did not shoot the deputy
Gm
I shot the sheriff
Cm Gm
But I did not shoot the deputy
( Gm Cm Gm Cm )
( Gm Cm Gm Cm )
( Gm Cm Gm Cm )
----------------- Acordes -----------------
Cm = X 3 5 5 4 3
Dm7 = X 5 7 5 6 5
Eb7+ = X X 1 3 3 3
Gm = 3 5 5 3 3 3
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 Cm. 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.