I shot the sheriff But I did not shoot the deputy I shot the sheriff But I did not shoot the deputy All around in my own town They're trying to track me down They say they want to bring me in guilty For the killing of a deputy, for the life of a deputy I shot the sheriff But I did not shoot the deputy I shot the sheriff But I did not shoot the deputy Sheriff John Brown always hated me, what I don't know Everytime that I plant a seed He said, kill it before it grows He said, kill them before they grow I shot the sheriff But I did not shoot the deputy I shot the sheriff But I did not shoot the deputy