I Shot the Sheriff
View chords used in this chart
[Riff]
E|-3-------------------------------------|
B|---6-3-----3---------------------------|
G|-------5-3---5-3-----------------------|
D|-----------------5---------------------|
A|---------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------|
Gm Cm
I shot the sheriff
Cm Gm Gm Gm Gm
But I did not shoot the deputy
Gm Cm
I shot the sheriff
Cm Gm Gm Gm Gm
But I did not shoot the deputy
Eb7M Dm7 Gm Gm
All around in my old town
Eb7M Dm7 Gm Gm
They're trying to track me down
Eb7M Dm7 Gm Gm
They say they want to bring me in guilty
Eb7M Dm7 Gm Gm
For the killing of a deputy
Eb7M Dm7 Gm Gm
For the life of a deputy
But I say: RIFF
[Refrão]
Gm Cm7 Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
Gm Cm7 Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
But I say: RIFF
Eb7M Dm7 Gm
Sheriff John Brown always hated me
Eb7M Dm7 Gm
For what I don't know
Eb7M Dm7 Gm
Every time that I plant a seed
Eb7M Dm7 Gm
He said "Kill it before it grows"
Eb7M Dm7 Gm
He said "Kill it before it grows"
But I say: RIFF
Gm Cm7 Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense
Gm Cm7 Gm
I shot the sheriff, and they say it is a capital offense
Eb7M Dm7 Gm
Freedom came my way one day
Eb7M Dm7 Gm
And I started out of town
Eb7M Dm7 Gm
All of a sudden I see sheriff John Brown
Eb7M Dm7 Gm
Aiming to shoot me down
Eb7M Dm7 Gm
So I shot, I shot him down
But I say: RIFF
Gm Cm7 Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
Gm Cm7 Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
Eb7M Dm7 Gm
Reflexes got the better of me
Eb7M Dm7 Gm
And what is to be must be
Eb7M Dm7 Gm
Every day the bucket falls to the well
Eb7M Dm7 Gm
But one day the bottom will drop out
Eb7M Dm7 Gm
Yes, one day the bottom will drop out
But I say: RIFF
Gm Cm7 Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
Gm Cm7 Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
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 E. 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.