I Shot The Sheriff Ukulele Chords – Bob Marley & The Wailers. This song uses the chords: Gmin, Cmin, Eb, Dmin7. You can change the key for free, as needed.
I Shot The Sheriff Ukulele Chords – Bob Marley & The Wailers
CHORUS 1:
GminI shot the sheriff
CminBut I didn’t shoot no Gmindeputy, oh no, oh
GminI shot the sheriff
CminBut I didn’t shoot no Gmindeputy ooh ooh ooh yeah
VERSE 1:
EbAll aDmin7round in my Gminhome town
They’re Ebtrying to Dmin7track me Gmindown yeah
EbThey say they Dmin7want to bring me in Gminguilty
For the Ebkilling of a Dmin7deput – Gminy
For the Eblife of a Dmin7dep—-Gminuty
But I say
RIFF:
G, F, D, C, Bb, C, D, Bb, C, Bb, G (Single Note Line)
Oh, now, now, oh
CHORUS 2:
GminI shot the sheriff (the sheriff)
CminBut I swear it was in Gminself-defense oh no ooh ooh ooh yeah
I say GminI shot the sheriff oh CminLord
And they say it is a Gmincapital offense yeah
Ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah
VERSE 2:
EbSheriff Dmin7John Brown always Gminhated me
For Ebwhat I Dmin7don’t Gminknow
Every Ebtime I Dmin7plant a Gminseed
He said Ebkill it beDmin7fore it Gmingrow
He said Ebkill them beDmin7fore they Gmingrow and so and so
RIFF:
G, F, D, C, Bb, C, D, Bb, C, Bb, G (Single Note Line)
Read it in the news
CHORUS 3:
GminI shot the sheriff oh Lord
CminBut I swear it was in Gminself-defense
Where was the deputy? Ooh, ooh, ooh
I say GminI shot the sheriff
CminBut I swear it was in Gminself-defense yeah
Ooh-ooh
VERSE 3:
EbFreedom came my Dmin7way one Gminday
And I Ebstarted Dmin7out of Gmintown yeah
EbAll of a Dmin7sudden I saw GminSheriff John Brown
EbAiming to Dmin7shoot me Gmindown
So I Ebshot I Dmin7shot I shot him Gmindown and I say
RIFF:
G, F, D, C, Bb, C, D, Bb, C, Bb, G (Single Note Line)
If I am guilty I will pay (pay, pay, pay, pay, pay)
CHORUS 4:
GminI shot the sheriff
But I say Cminbut I didn’t shoot no Gmindeputy
I didn’t shoot no deputy oh no ooh ooh ooh
GminI shot the sheriff I did
CminBut I didn’t shoot no Gmindeputy oh oh ooh ooh
VERSE 4:
ReEbflexes had the Dmin7better of Gminme
And Ebwhat is to Dmin7be must Gminbe
Every Ebday the Dmin7bucket a-go a Gminwell
EbOne day the Dmin7bottom a-go Gmindrop out
EbOne day the Dmin7bottom a-go Gmindrop out
RIFF:
G, F, D, C, Bb, C, D, Bb, C, Bb, G (Single Note Line)
I say
CHORUS 5:
I-I-GminI I shot the sheriff
CminLord I didn’t shot the Gmindeputy no
Yeah GminI-I shot the sheriff
CminBut I didn’t shoot no Gmindeputy yeah so yeah
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“I Shot The Sheriff” History”
“I Shot the Sheriff” is one of the most iconic songs by Bob Marley & The Wailers, originally released in 1973 on the album Burnin’. Here’s a detailed overview of the song:
🎶 Song Overview
- Title: I Shot the Sheriff
- Artist: Bob Marley & The Wailers
- Album: Burnin’
- Release Date: October 1973
- Genre: Reggae
- Writer: Bob Marley
- Producer: Chris Blackwell & The Wailers
🔍 Lyrics & Meaning
The lyrics tell the story of a man who confesses to shooting the sheriff but insists that he did not kill the deputy. The song mixes themes of injustice, self-defense, and resistance to authority. While the song’s lyrics seem simple on the surface, they are often interpreted as a metaphor for social and political struggles, particularly in Jamaica.
Bob Marley later explained that the sheriff represents oppression, and the song can be seen as a broader statement about fighting against systemic injustice.
🧑🎤 Bob Marley’s Version
- The original recording by Bob Marley & The Wailers is a roots reggae classic, with a laid-back rhythm, strong bassline, and Marley’s emotive vocals.
- It’s one of the standout tracks on Burnin’, which also features other iconic songs like “Get Up, Stand Up”.
🎸 Eric Clapton’s Cover
- Eric Clapton recorded a cover version of “I Shot the Sheriff” in 1974, which became a major international hit.
- Clapton’s version reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S.
- His interpretation is more blues-rock than reggae but helped bring Marley’s music to a wider audience.
Bob Marley reportedly appreciated Clapton’s cover, as it introduced more people to his music.
🏆 Legacy and Impact
- “I Shot the Sheriff” is widely regarded as one of Bob Marley’s most influential songs.
- It has been covered and sampled numerous times and remains a staple in discussions of protest music and reggae history.
- The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and continues to be recognized for its cultural and historical significance.
