Letra de
I Shot the Sheriff

A música I Shot the Sheriff foi escrita por Bob Marley e conta a história de um homem que admite ter atirado no xerife local, mas nega ter atirado em seu adjunto. A letra foi interpretada como protesto contra a opressão e a injustiça. Bob Marley teria dito que a música foi inspirada pela resistência contra a proibição do uso da maconha na Jamaica, onde o sheriff era uma metáfora para o sistema opressor.

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 home 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 But I say?
(Play Main Riff)

I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense
I shot the sheriff, and they say it is a capital offense

Sheriff John Brown always hated me
For what I don't know
Every time that I plant a seed
He said "Kill it before it grows"
He said "Kill it before it grows" I say!
(Play Main Riff)

I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense
I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense

Freedom came my way one day
And I started out of town yeah
All of a sudden I see sheriff John Brown
Aiming to shoot me down
So I shot, I shot him down I say!
(Play Main Riff)

I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
I shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot the deputy

Reflexes got the better of me
And what is to be must be
Every day the bucket falls to the well
But one day the bottom will drop out
Yes, one day the bottom will drop out But I say
(Play Main Riff)

I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy, oh no
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot no deputy, oh no