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Feb 3, 2010
The meaning of this song is often misconstrued and being simply that he literally shot the sheriff of the law. But this song has a much deeper meaning. Listening to Bob most of my life I understand his message is about freedom, freedom of body as well as mind. Anyhow. The sheriff in which he shot represents the "system", or government, and the deputy represents the people that are governed by the sheriff, or the "system" He "exposed" or shot the sheriff to free the deputy, hence he did not shoot the deputy which would represent everyday people. Then he goes on to say: "if i am guilty I will pay" which means he is justified, in there receiving his reward which will be paid to him in righteousness. Makes perfect sense.