I SHOT THE SHERIFF
Eric Clapton
from the album "461 Ocean Boulevard" (1974)
[CHORUS:]
Gm Cm Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
Gm Cm Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
[VERSE 1:]
Eb Dm Gm
All around in my home town
Eb Dm Gm
They're trying to track me down
Eb Dm Gm
They say they want to bring me in guilty
Eb Dm Gm
For the killing of a deputy
Eb Dm Gm
For the life of a deputy But I say? (play MAIN RIFF)
[MAIN RIFF:]
|------------------------------|
|------------------------------|
|------------------------------|
|--5--3------------------------|
|--------5--3--1--5--3--1------|
|-------------------------/3---|
[CHORUS:]
Gm Cm Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense
Gm Cm Gm
I shot the sheriff, and they say it is a capital offense
[VERSE 2:]
Eb Dm Gm
Sheriff John Brown always hated me
Eb Dm Gm
For what I don't know
Eb Dm Gm
Every time that I plant a seed
Eb Dm Gm
He said "Kill it before it grows"
Eb Dm Gm
He said "Kill it before it grows" I say!
(play MAIN RIFF)
[CHORUS:]
Gm Cm Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense
Gm Cm Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense
[VERSE 3:]
Eb Dm Gm
Freedom came my way one day
Eb Dm Gm
And I started out of town yeah
Eb Dm Gm
All of a sudden I see sheriff John Brown
Eb Dm Gm
Aiming to shoot me down
Eb Dm Gm
So I shot, I shot him down I say!
(play MAIN RIFF)
[CHORUS:]
Gm Cm Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
Gm Cm Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot the deputy
[VERSE 4:]
Eb Dm Gm
Reflexes got the better of me
Eb Dm Gm
And what is to be must be
Eb Dm Gm
Every day the bucket falls to the well
Eb Dm Gm
But one day the bottom will drop out
Eb Dm Gm
Yes, one day the bottom will drop out But I say
(play MAIN RIFF)
[CHORUS:]
Gm Cm Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy, oh no
Gm Cm Gm
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot no deputy, oh no
[ENDING:] Cm Dm Gm
Cm Dm Gm (repeat and fade)
Tabs