Reggae beat, all barres.
(Ebmaj7: 668786)
[Verse 1]
Gm
I shot the sheriff
Cm Gm
But I didn't shoot no deputy, oh no, oh
Gm
I shot the sheriff
Cm Gm
But I didn't shoot no deputy, ooh, ooh, ooooh, yeah
Ebmaj7 Dm Gm
All around in my hometown
Ebmaj7 Dm Gm
They're tryin' to track me down, yeah
Ebmaj7 Dm Gm
They say they want to bring me in guilty
Ebmaj7 Dm Gm
For the killing of a deputy
Ebmaj7 Dm Gm
For the life of a deputy, but I say
e|-----------------|-----------------|
B|-----------------|-----------------|
G|-----------------|-----------------|
D|-5--3------------|-----------------|
A|-------5---3---5-|-3---------------|
E|-------------6---|----6--3---------|
Oh now now, oh
Gm
I shot the sheriff (shot the sheriff)
Cm Gm
But I swear it was in self defense oh, no (Ooh, ooh, oooh) yeah
Gm Cm
I say, I shot the sheriff, Oh, Lord
Gm
And they say it is a capital offence, yeah (Ooh, ooh, oooh) Yeah
Ebmaj7 Dm Gm
Sheriff John Brown always hated me
Ebmaj7 Dm Gm
For what, I don't know
Ebmaj7 Dm Gm
Every time I plant a seed
Ebmaj7 Dm Gm
He said kill it before it grows
Ebmaj7 Dm Gm
He said kill them before they grow, and so
e|-----------------|-----------------|
B|-----------------|-----------------|
G|-----------------|-----------------|
D|-5--3------------|-----------------|
A|-------5---3---5-|-3---------------|
E|-------------6---|----6--3---------|
And so
Read it in the news
[Chorus]
Gm
I shot the sheriff (oh Lord)
Cm Gm
But I swear it was in self defense, where was the deputy? (Ooh, ooh, oooh) I say
Gm
I shot the sheriff
Cm Gm
But I swear it was in self defense, yeah (ooooooh)
Ebmaj7 Dm Gm
Freedom came my way one day
Ebmaj7 Dm Gm
And I started out of town, yeah
Ebmaj7 Dm Gm
All of a sudden I saw sheriff John Brown
Ebmaj7 Dm Gm
Aiming to shoot me down
Ebmaj7 Dm Gm
So I shot, I shot, I shot him down and I say
e|-----------------|-----------------|
B|-----------------|-----------------|
G|-----------------|-----------------|
D|-5--3------------|-----------------|
A|-------5---3---5-|-3---------------|
E|-------------6---|----6--3---------|
If I am guilty I will pay
[Chorus]
Gm
I shot the sheriff (but I say)
Cm Gm
But I didn't shoot no deputy, (I didn't shoot no deputy, no) oh no, oh
Gm
I shot the sheriff (I did)
Cm Gm
But I didn't shoot no deputy, oh (ooh, ooh, ooooh) yeah
Ebmaj7 Dm Gm
Reflexes had the better of me
Ebmaj7 Dm Gm
And what is to be must be
Ebmaj7 Dm Gm
Every day the bucket a-go a well
Ebmaj7 Dm Gm
One day the bottom a-go drop out
Ebmaj7 Dm Gm
One day the bottom a-go drop out, I say
e|-----------------|-----------------|
B|-----------------|-----------------|
G|-----------------|-----------------|
D|-5--3------------|-----------------|
A|-------5---3---5-|-3---------------|
E|-------------6---|----6--3---------|
[Chorus]
Gm
I, I, I, I shot the sheriff
Cm Gm
Lord, I didn't shot the deputy, no, yeah
Gm
I, I (shot the sheriff)
Cm Gm
But I didn't shoot no deputy, yeah, no, yeah
(Original repeats and fades)
Gm Cm GmI Shot The Sheriff chords and lyrics
Free chords for I Shot The Sheriff by Bob Marley. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.
Reggae beat, all barres. (Ebmaj7: 668786) [Verse 1] Oh now now, oh And so Read it in the news [Chorus] If I am guilty I will pay [Chorus] [Chorus] (Original repeats and fades) Gm Cm Gm
I Shot The Sheriff Chords by Bob Marley
Learn how to play I Shot The Sheriff by Bob Marley with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “I Shot The Sheriff chords”, “I Shot The Sheriff guitar chords”, or “Bob Marley 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 Gm, Cm, Ebmaj7, Dm, B, G.
Frequently asked questions about I Shot The Sheriff
How do I play "I Shot The Sheriff" by Bob Marley on guitar?
Open the free chords for "I Shot The Sheriff" by Bob Marley 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 Bob Marley free?
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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 Bob Marley with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Bob Marley below.
What key is "I Shot The Sheriff" in?
The chords for "I Shot The Sheriff" show the original chord names (including Gm, Cm, Ebmaj7, Dm, B, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.