Reggae

I Shot the Sheriff Chords

Bob Marley Beginner Key of A 4 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

Amtap to play

Dmtap to play

Emtap to play

Gtap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

Am · Dm · Em · G

I Shot the Sheriff Chords – Guitar

Bob Marley’s reggae classic about justice and accountability. Beginner difficulty in the key of Am.

Reggae Rhythm (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a reggae strum: emphasize the off-beats and mute the strings on the downbeats. The groove should feel relaxed but insistent.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I did not shoot the deputy

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I didn’t shoot the deputy

Verse 2

Am Dm

All around in my hometown

Am F Em

They’re trying to track me down, yeah

Am Dm

They say they want to bring me in guilty

Am F Em

For the killing of a deputy

Am Dm

For the life of a deputy

Am

But I say…

Chorus

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I swear it was in self-defense

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

And they say it is a capital offense

Verse 3

Am Dm

Sheriff John Brown always hated me

Am F Em

For what, I don’t know

Am Dm

Every time I plant a seed

Am F Em

He said, “Kill it before it grows”

Am Dm

He said, “Kill it before it grows”

Am

And so…

Chorus

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I swear it was in self-defense

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I swear it was in self-defense

Verse 4

Am Dm

Freedom came my way one day

Am F Em

And I started out of town, yeah

Am Dm

All of a sudden I saw Sheriff John Brown

Am F Em

Aiming to shoot me down

Am Dm

So I shot, I shot, I shot him down

Am

And I say…

Final Chorus

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I did not shoot the deputy

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I didn’t shoot the deputy

Am Dm

Reflexes got the better of me

Am

And what is to be must be

Practice tip: The Am-Dm pattern is the backbone. In the verses, F and Em add movement. The reggae strum pattern is key — practice muting on beats 1 and 3, strumming on 2 and 4.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Shot the Sheriff"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, Dm, Em and G.

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

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "I Shot the Sheriff" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "I Shot the Sheriff"?

It was written by Bob Marley, and released in 1973.

Amtap to play

Dmtap to play

Emtap to play

Gtap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

Am · Dm · Em · G

I Shot the Sheriff Chords – Ukulele

Bob Marley’s reggae classic about justice and accountability. Beginner difficulty in the key of Am.

Reggae Rhythm (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a reggae strum: emphasize the off-beats and mute the strings on the downbeats. The groove should feel relaxed but insistent.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I did not shoot the deputy

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I didn’t shoot the deputy

Verse 2

Am Dm

All around in my hometown

Am F Em

They’re trying to track me down, yeah

Am Dm

They say they want to bring me in guilty

Am F Em

For the killing of a deputy

Am Dm

For the life of a deputy

Am

But I say…

Chorus

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I swear it was in self-defense

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

And they say it is a capital offense

Verse 3

Am Dm

Sheriff John Brown always hated me

Am F Em

For what, I don’t know

Am Dm

Every time I plant a seed

Am F Em

He said, “Kill it before it grows”

Am Dm

He said, “Kill it before it grows”

Am

And so…

Chorus

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I swear it was in self-defense

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I swear it was in self-defense

Verse 4

Am Dm

Freedom came my way one day

Am F Em

And I started out of town, yeah

Am Dm

All of a sudden I saw Sheriff John Brown

Am F Em

Aiming to shoot me down

Am Dm

So I shot, I shot, I shot him down

Am

And I say…

Final Chorus

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I did not shoot the deputy

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I didn’t shoot the deputy

Am Dm

Reflexes got the better of me

Am

And what is to be must be

Practice tip: The Am-Dm pattern is the backbone. In the verses, F and Em add movement. The reggae strum pattern is key — practice muting on beats 1 and 3, strumming on 2 and 4.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Shot the Sheriff"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, Dm, Em and G.

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

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "I Shot the Sheriff" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "I Shot the Sheriff"?

It was written by Bob Marley, and released in 1973.

Amtap to play

Dmtap to play

Emtap to play

Gtap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

Am · Dm · Em · G

I Shot the Sheriff Chords – Piano

Bob Marley’s reggae classic about justice and accountability. Beginner difficulty in the key of Am.

Reggae Rhythm (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a reggae strum: emphasize the off-beats and mute the strings on the downbeats. The groove should feel relaxed but insistent.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I did not shoot the deputy

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I didn’t shoot the deputy

Verse 2

Am Dm

All around in my hometown

Am F Em

They’re trying to track me down, yeah

Am Dm

They say they want to bring me in guilty

Am F Em

For the killing of a deputy

Am Dm

For the life of a deputy

Am

But I say…

Chorus

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I swear it was in self-defense

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

And they say it is a capital offense

Verse 3

Am Dm

Sheriff John Brown always hated me

Am F Em

For what, I don’t know

Am Dm

Every time I plant a seed

Am F Em

He said, “Kill it before it grows”

Am Dm

He said, “Kill it before it grows”

Am

And so…

Chorus

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I swear it was in self-defense

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I swear it was in self-defense

Verse 4

Am Dm

Freedom came my way one day

Am F Em

And I started out of town, yeah

Am Dm

All of a sudden I saw Sheriff John Brown

Am F Em

Aiming to shoot me down

Am Dm

So I shot, I shot, I shot him down

Am

And I say…

Final Chorus

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I did not shoot the deputy

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I didn’t shoot the deputy

Am Dm

Reflexes got the better of me

Am

And what is to be must be

Practice tip: The Am-Dm pattern is the backbone. In the verses, F and Em add movement. The reggae strum pattern is key — practice muting on beats 1 and 3, strumming on 2 and 4.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Shot the Sheriff"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, Dm, Em and G.

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

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "I Shot the Sheriff" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "I Shot the Sheriff"?

It was written by Bob Marley, and released in 1973.

Amtap to play

Dmtap to play

Emtap to play

Gtap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

Am · Dm · Em · G

I Shot the Sheriff Chords – Banjo

Bob Marley’s reggae classic about justice and accountability. Beginner difficulty in the key of Am.

Reggae Rhythm (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a reggae strum: emphasize the off-beats and mute the strings on the downbeats. The groove should feel relaxed but insistent.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I did not shoot the deputy

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I didn’t shoot the deputy

Verse 2

Am Dm

All around in my hometown

Am F Em

They’re trying to track me down, yeah

Am Dm

They say they want to bring me in guilty

Am F Em

For the killing of a deputy

Am Dm

For the life of a deputy

Am

But I say…

Chorus

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I swear it was in self-defense

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

And they say it is a capital offense

Verse 3

Am Dm

Sheriff John Brown always hated me

Am F Em

For what, I don’t know

Am Dm

Every time I plant a seed

Am F Em

He said, “Kill it before it grows”

Am Dm

He said, “Kill it before it grows”

Am

And so…

Chorus

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I swear it was in self-defense

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I swear it was in self-defense

Verse 4

Am Dm

Freedom came my way one day

Am F Em

And I started out of town, yeah

Am Dm

All of a sudden I saw Sheriff John Brown

Am F Em

Aiming to shoot me down

Am Dm

So I shot, I shot, I shot him down

Am

And I say…

Final Chorus

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I did not shoot the deputy

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I didn’t shoot the deputy

Am Dm

Reflexes got the better of me

Am

And what is to be must be

Practice tip: The Am-Dm pattern is the backbone. In the verses, F and Em add movement. The reggae strum pattern is key — practice muting on beats 1 and 3, strumming on 2 and 4.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Shot the Sheriff"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, Dm, Em and G.

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

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "I Shot the Sheriff" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "I Shot the Sheriff"?

It was written by Bob Marley, and released in 1973.

Amtap to play

Dmtap to play

Emtap to play

Gtap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

Am · Dm · Em · G

I Shot the Sheriff Chords – Mandolin

Bob Marley’s reggae classic about justice and accountability. Beginner difficulty in the key of Am.

Reggae Rhythm (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a reggae strum: emphasize the off-beats and mute the strings on the downbeats. The groove should feel relaxed but insistent.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I did not shoot the deputy

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I didn’t shoot the deputy

Verse 2

Am Dm

All around in my hometown

Am F Em

They’re trying to track me down, yeah

Am Dm

They say they want to bring me in guilty

Am F Em

For the killing of a deputy

Am Dm

For the life of a deputy

Am

But I say…

Chorus

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I swear it was in self-defense

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

And they say it is a capital offense

Verse 3

Am Dm

Sheriff John Brown always hated me

Am F Em

For what, I don’t know

Am Dm

Every time I plant a seed

Am F Em

He said, “Kill it before it grows”

Am Dm

He said, “Kill it before it grows”

Am

And so…

Chorus

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I swear it was in self-defense

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I swear it was in self-defense

Verse 4

Am Dm

Freedom came my way one day

Am F Em

And I started out of town, yeah

Am Dm

All of a sudden I saw Sheriff John Brown

Am F Em

Aiming to shoot me down

Am Dm

So I shot, I shot, I shot him down

Am

And I say…

Final Chorus

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I did not shoot the deputy

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I didn’t shoot the deputy

Am Dm

Reflexes got the better of me

Am

And what is to be must be

Practice tip: The Am-Dm pattern is the backbone. In the verses, F and Em add movement. The reggae strum pattern is key — practice muting on beats 1 and 3, strumming on 2 and 4.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Shot the Sheriff"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, Dm, Em and G.

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

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "I Shot the Sheriff" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "I Shot the Sheriff"?

It was written by Bob Marley, and released in 1973.

Amtap to play

Dmtap to play

Emtap to play

Gtap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

Am · Dm · Em · G

I Shot the Sheriff Chords – Harmonica

Bob Marley’s reggae classic about justice and accountability. Beginner difficulty in the key of Am.

Reggae Rhythm (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Use a reggae strum: emphasize the off-beats and mute the strings on the downbeats. The groove should feel relaxed but insistent.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I did not shoot the deputy

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I didn’t shoot the deputy

Verse 2

Am Dm

All around in my hometown

Am F Em

They’re trying to track me down, yeah

Am Dm

They say they want to bring me in guilty

Am F Em

For the killing of a deputy

Am Dm

For the life of a deputy

Am

But I say…

Chorus

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I swear it was in self-defense

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

And they say it is a capital offense

Verse 3

Am Dm

Sheriff John Brown always hated me

Am F Em

For what, I don’t know

Am Dm

Every time I plant a seed

Am F Em

He said, “Kill it before it grows”

Am Dm

He said, “Kill it before it grows”

Am

And so…

Chorus

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I swear it was in self-defense

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I swear it was in self-defense

Verse 4

Am Dm

Freedom came my way one day

Am F Em

And I started out of town, yeah

Am Dm

All of a sudden I saw Sheriff John Brown

Am F Em

Aiming to shoot me down

Am Dm

So I shot, I shot, I shot him down

Am

And I say…

Final Chorus

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I did not shoot the deputy

Am Dm

I shot the sheriff

Am

But I didn’t shoot the deputy

Am Dm

Reflexes got the better of me

Am

And what is to be must be

Practice tip: The Am-Dm pattern is the backbone. In the verses, F and Em add movement. The reggae strum pattern is key — practice muting on beats 1 and 3, strumming on 2 and 4.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "I Shot the Sheriff"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, Dm, Em and G.

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

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "I Shot the Sheriff" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "I Shot the Sheriff"?

It was written by Bob Marley, and released in 1973.