i shot the sheriff lyrics meaning

(I shot the sheriff) but I swear it was in self-defense (I shot the sheriff) but I swear it was in self-defense Freedom came my way one day And I started out of town All of a sudden I see sheriff John Brown Aiming to shoot me down So I shot, I shot him down, I say (I shot the sheriff) but I did not shoot the deputy (I shot the sheriff) but I . into the night lyrics english