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I Shot The Sheriff

Chords

4.9789 votes

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1/9

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 9Position: 5

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

I SHOT THE SHERIFF
Eric Clapton
from the album "461 Ocean Boulevard" (1974)
[Main Riff]
e|-----------------------|----------------------------|
B|-----------------------|----------------------------|
G|-----------------------|----------------------------|
D|/5---3-----------------|----------------------------|
A|--------/5---3---1-/5--|-3---1----------------------|
E|-----------------------|---------3------------------|
[Chorus]
GmI shot the sheriff, Cmbut I did not shoot the Gmdeputy
GmI shot the sheriff, Cmbut I did not shoot the Gmdeputy
[Verse 1]
EbAll aroDmund in my hGmome town
EbThey're trying to Dmtrack me dGmown
ThEbey say they want tDmo bring me in gGmuilty
For the Ebkilling of a DmdeputyGm  
For the Eblife of a Dmdeputy    GmBut I say?
(Play Main Riff)
[Chorus]
GmI shot the sheriff, Cmbut I swear it was in sGmelf-defense
GmI shot the sheriff, Cmand they say it is a caGmpital offense
[Verse 2]
EbSheriff DmJohn Brown aGmlways hated me
EbFor whaDmt I don't kGmnow
EbEvery tDmime that I pGmlant a seed
He Ebsaid "Kill it Dmbefore it gGmrows"
He Ebsaid "Kill it Dmbefore it gGmrows"   I say!
(Play Main Riff)
[Chorus]
GmI shot the sheriff, Cmbut I swear it was in sGmelf-defense
GmI shot the sheriff, Cmbut I swear it was in sGmelf-defense
[Verse 3]
EbFreedom Dmcame my way Gmone day
EbAnd I stDmarted out of Gmtown yeah
EbAll of a sDmudden I see sGmheriff John Brown
EbAiming to sDmhoot me dGmown
So EbI shoDmt, I sGmhot him down    I say!
(Play Main Riff)
[Chorus]
GmI shot the sheriff, Cmbut I did not shoot the Gmdeputy
GmI shot the sheriff, Cmbut I didn't shoot the dGmeputy
[Verse 4]
EbReflexeDms got the bGmetter of me
EbAnd whaDmt is to be Gmmust be
EbEvery dDmay the bucket fGmalls to the well
EbBut one day the Dmbottom will Gmdrop out
EbYes, one dDmay the bottom will Gmdrop out   But I say
(Play Main Riff)
[Chorus]
GmI shot the sheriff, Cmbut I did not shoot the Gmdeputy, oh no
GmI shot the sheriff, Cmbut I did not shoot no dGmeputy, oh no
Ending
Cm  Dm  Gm
  Cm    Dm    Gm(repeat and fade)

All chords in this song (4)

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I Shot The Sheriff

by Eric Clapton

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

I SHOT THE SHERIFF

Eric Clapton

from the album "461 Ocean Boulevard" (1974)

[Main Riff]

e|-----------------------|----------------------------|

B|-----------------------|----------------------------|

G|-----------------------|----------------------------|

D|/5---3-----------------|----------------------------|

A|--------/5---3---1-/5--|-3---1----------------------|

E|-----------------------|---------3------------------|

[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)

[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

(repeat and fade)

About I Shot The Sheriff Chords by Eric Clapton

Learn how to play I Shot The Sheriff by Eric Clapton with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “I Shot The Sheriff chords”, “I Shot The Sheriff guitar chords”, or “Eric Clapton I Shot The Sheriff chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy I Shot The Sheriff chords and for experienced players who want accurate I Shot The Sheriff lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include B, G, D, A, E, Gm.

FAQ — I Shot The Sheriff by Eric Clapton

How do I play "I Shot The Sheriff" by Eric Clapton on guitar?

Open the free chords for "I Shot The Sheriff" by Eric Clapton on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "I Shot The Sheriff" by Eric Clapton free?

Yes. The chords for "I Shot The Sheriff" by Eric Clapton are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "I Shot The Sheriff" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "I Shot The Sheriff" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "I Shot The Sheriff"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "I Shot The Sheriff" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "I Shot The Sheriff" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "I Shot The Sheriff" by Eric Clapton with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Eric Clapton below.

What key is "I Shot The Sheriff" in?

The chords for "I Shot The Sheriff" show the original chord names (including B, G, D, A, E, Gm). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.