I Shot The Sheriff

by Eric Clapton
Loading song
Fetching song
1
—
Personalize the finger hints for your handsPick your hand size and we'll re-suggest this song's fingering to fit you.Personalize
More ways to play

Other arrangements of I Shot The Sheriff

Pick a learning view.

Lyrics

(Gm)I shot the sher iff,

but I did not shoot the (Gm)dep u ty.

I shot the sher iff,

but I did n’t shoot the (Gm)dep u ty.

of fense.

Sher iff a John round in my (Gm)home ed town,

they’re (Ebmaj7)try ing to (Dm7)track me down.

They (Dm7)ev ’ry time to bring me in guilt y a seed, for the (Ebmaj7)kill ing of a (Dm7)dep u (Gm)ty,

for the (Ebmaj7)life of a (Dm7)dep u (Gm)ty.

But I say:

(Gm)I shot the sher iff,

but I swear it was in (Gm)self de fense.

I shot the sher iff,

and they say it is a (Gm)cap i tal of fense.

Sher iff a John Brown al ways (Gm)hat ed me;

for (Ebmaj7)what, ing to (Dm7)I don’t know.

And (Dm7)ev ’ry time to bring that I plant y a seed, he said, (Ebmaj7)“Kill ing it be (Dm7)fore it (Gm)grows.”

He said, (Ebmaj7)“Kill it be (Dm7)fore it (Gm)grows.”

But I say:

(Gm)I shot the sher iff,

but I swear it was in (Gm)self de fense.

I shot the sher iff,

but I swear it was in (Gm)self de fense.

Free dom came my get the one bet (Gm)ter of me,

and I start ed out of (Gm)town, yeah.

All of a (Dm7)sud den I see (Gm)Sher iff John Brown

but one day the bot tom me will (Gm)down, out.

so I (Dm7)shot, Yes, one day the I shot him (Gm)down.

out.

But I (CN.C.)say:

(Gm)I shot the sher iff,

but I did not shoot the (Gm)dep u ty.

I shot the sher iff,

but I did n’t shoot the (Gm)dep u ty.

Free Re flex es get the one bet (Gm)ter of me,

and what is to be must (Gm)be.

yeah.

Ev er y (Dm7)day the buck et (Gm)goes to the well,

but one day the bot tom me will (Gm)drop out.

so I (Dm7)shot, Yes, one day the bot tom will (Gm)drop out.

But I (CN.C.)say:

(Gm)I shot the sher iff,

but I did n’t shoot the (Gm)dep u ty.

I shot the sher iff,

but I did not shoot no (Gm)dep u ty.

I Shot The Sheriff — Falling Notes Piano Tutorial

10 people have learned this song

Watch "I Shot The Sheriff" by Eric Clapton in falling notes style — like Synthesia. Color-coded notes fall onto the keyboard in real time. Practice left hand, right hand, or both. Key of Eb, 95 BPM.

Tip: Use the speed control to practice at 70% tempo first. Focus on tricky chord transitions before attempting the full arrangement.

About “I Shot The Sheriff”

Can I learn "I Shot The Sheriff" with falling notes like Synthesia?
Yes — Falling Notes mode shows colored note shapes dropping onto a virtual keyboard, the same visual style as Synthesia or piano-tile games. Each note's column matches the piano key you press. Works for "I Shot The Sheriff" with hands-separate practice in Eb at 95 BPM.
What key is "I Shot The Sheriff" by Eric Clapton played in?
I Shot The Sheriff is arranged in the key of Eb on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
What's the tempo (BPM) of "I Shot The Sheriff"?
The arrangement plays at 95 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "I Shot The Sheriff" easy to play on piano?
This is a medium-difficulty arrangement. Most players can learn it within a few practice sessions using the speed control.
Can I download sheet music for "I Shot The Sheriff"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "I Shot The Sheriff"?
"I Shot The Sheriff" was originally performed by Eric Clapton. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What chords are used in "I Shot The Sheriff"?
This arrangement uses 5 chords: C, Cm, Dm7, Ebmaj7, Gm.
What other songs by Eric Clapton can I play here?
Try "RUNNING ON FAITH", "BELIEVE IN LIFE", "MY FATHER'S EYES". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
Can I practice left and right hand separately for "I Shot The Sheriff"?
Yes! Our Top Down mode lets you isolate the left hand (bass clef), right hand (treble clef), or play both together. This makes it easy to master "I Shot The Sheriff" one hand at a time before combining them.
What is falling notes style for "I Shot The Sheriff"?
Falling notes (also known as Synthesia or piano waterfall) shows color-coded rectangles falling from the top of the screen onto a virtual keyboard. Each note's position matches the piano key you need to press. "I Shot The Sheriff" is in the key of Eb at 95 BPM.