What key is "I Shot The Sheriff" in?

"I Shot The Sheriff" by Bob Marley is in the key of Eb with a tempo of 192 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "I Shot The Sheriff" easy to play on piano?

Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.

Can I play "I Shot The Sheriff" without reading sheet music?

Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.

How long does it take to learn "I Shot The Sheriff" on piano?

1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.

What other songs by Bob Marley can I play here?

Try "NO WOMAN NO CRY", "WAITING IN VAIN", "I SHOT THE SHERIFF". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

(Gm)I shot the sher iff,

but I did n’t shoot no (Gm7)dep u ty.

Oh, no, oh.

(Gm)I shot the sher iff,

but I did n’t shoot no (Gm7)dep u ty.

Ooh, ooh, ooh.

Yeah.

Sher All a (Dm7)round in my (Gm)home ed town

they’re (Eb)try in’ to (Dm)track me (Gm)down,

yeah.

They (Eb)say they want to (Dm7)bring me in (Gm)guilt y

for the (Eb)kill ing of a (Dm7)dep u (Gm)ty,

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

But I say,

oh, now, now.

read it in the Oh, (Gm)I shot the sher iff,

but I swear it was in (Gm7)self de fense.

Ooh, ooh, ooh.

I said, I shot the sher iff, oh, (Cm7)Lord, and they say it is a (Gm7)cap i tal of fense.

Ooh, ooh, ooh.

Hear this.

Sher iff John (Dm7)Brown al ways (Gm)hat ed me;

for (Eb)what, in’ to (Dm)I don’t (Gm)know.

yeah.

They (Eb)Ev ’ry time I (Dm7)plant me a (Gm)seed, y

he said, (Eb)“Kill it of be (Dm7)fore it (Gm)grows.”

He said, (Eb)“Kill them be (Dm7)fore they (Gm)grow.”

But And so

oh, now, now.

read it in the news.

(Gm)I shot the sher iff,

but I swear it was in (Gm7)self de fense.

Ooh, ooh, ooh.

I said, I shot the sher iff, oh, (Cm7)Lord, but I swear it was in (Gm7)self de fense.

of fense.

Ooh, ooh, ooh.

Hear this.

(Eb)Free dom came my (Dm7)way ter one (Gm)day

and I (Eb)start ed to (Dm7)out of town, yeah!

Ev ’ry (Eb)day All of a (Dm7)sud den I saw (Gm)well; sher iff John Brown,

(Eb)aim in’ to (Dm7)shoot me ago (Gm)down.

out.

So I (Eb)shot, I the (Dm7)shot, I shot him (Gm)down.

And I say,

if I am guilt y I will pay.

(Gm)I shot the sher iff, but I (Cm7)say, but I did n’t shoot no (Gm7)dep u ty,

oh, no, oh.

(Gm)I shot the sher iff, but I (Cm7)say, but I did n’t shoot no (Gm7)dep u ty,

oh, no, oh.

I Shot The Sheriff by Bob Marley

1 person has learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of Eb at 192 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “I Shot The Sheriff”

What key is "I Shot The Sheriff" in?: "I Shot The Sheriff" by Bob Marley is in the key of Eb with a tempo of 192 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "I Shot The Sheriff" easy to play on piano?: Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.
Can I play "I Shot The Sheriff" without reading sheet music?: Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
How long does it take to learn "I Shot The Sheriff" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by Bob Marley can I play here?: Try "NO WOMAN NO CRY", "WAITING IN VAIN", "I SHOT THE SHERIFF". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.