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I Shot The Sheriff

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Tempo 80 BPM

Sound:

Step 1 / 9Position: 5

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO open

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
CmDmGm
      (repeat and fade)

I Shot The Sheriff chords and lyrics

Free chords for I Shot The Sheriff by Eric Clapton. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

I SHOT THE SHERIFF
Eric Clapton
from the album "461 Ocean Boulevard" (1974)
[Main Riff]
[Chorus]
[Verse 1]
(Play Main Riff)
[Chorus]
[Verse 2]
(Play Main Riff)
[Chorus]
[Verse 3]
(Play Main Riff)
[Chorus]
[Verse 4]
(Play Main Riff)
[Chorus]
[Ending]
Cm  Dm  Gm
Cm  Dm  Gm  (repeat and fade)

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.

Frequently asked questions about I Shot The Sheriff

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.