Knockin' On Heaven's Door
Bryan Ferry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't use it anymore
It's gettin' dark, too dark to see
I feel I'm knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Mama, put my guns in the ground
I can't shoot 'em anymore
That long black cloud is comin' down
I feel I'm knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Mama, take this badge off of me
I can't use it anymore
It's gettin' dark, too dark to see
I feel I'm knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Mama, put my guns in the ground
I can't shoot 'em anymore
That long black cloud is comin' down
I feel I'm knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
In "Knockin' On Heaven's Door," Bryan Ferry sings about feeling as though he is facing the end of his life. He asks his mother to take his badge, which suggests he is a law enforcement officer, off of him because he can't use it anymore. As the darkness descends upon him, he feels as though he is knocking on heaven's door. The repeated phrase "Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door" adds to the somber tone of the song and emphasizes the feeling that the end is near.
The second verse sees Ferry asking his mother to put his guns in the ground because he can no longer shoot them. He mentions the "long black cloud," which could be a metaphor for death or a literal storm cloud. He describes feeling as though he is knocking on heaven's door again, which reinforces the idea that he is facing his mortality.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama, take this badge off of me
I am tired of carrying the weight of my past actions and I want to forget them.
I can't use it anymore
The symbolic significance of this badge has lost its purpose for me.
It's gettin' dark, too dark to see
I feel lost and uncertain about my surroundings and future prospects.
I feel I'm knockin' on heaven's door
I have a sense of impending doom or death, and I am facing the possibility of judgment.
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
I am constantly reminded of my own mortality and the fear of an uncertain afterlife.
Mama, put my guns in the ground
I want to let go of my violent tendencies and the tools that enable them.
I can't shoot 'em anymore
I no longer have the desire or the means to be violent or aggressive.
That long black cloud is comin' down
I sense an inevitable and ominous conclusion to my existence, which I cannot avoid.
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
I am trying to come to terms with my own mortality and the possibility of judgment in the afterlife.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@moniquedouglas2448
Part of my interest in Bryan Ferry is hearing the arrangements he applies to different songs to fit his own inimitable style. Always a class act.
@mctavish23
Absolutely. I agree. He always adds something unique to the original composition. Well said.
@user-sr4gj6ml2o
https://youtu.be/Di6urOTCHAE
@Wedget
Oh yeh, class act, silky smooth voice, amazing stage presence, and an absolute pleasure to listen to, near perfection💯
@rayhildebrandt4065
So is it. A great artist of performance. Perfect.
@edwardmcguire5734
I love Bryan and the band, i just discovered this gem, wow! Amazing arrangement, the backing is perfect
@user-sr4gj6ml2o
https://youtu.be/Di6urOTCHAE
@mikedenson1589
Bryan always had his own unique sound. Great accomplishment.
@maximpopov8651
One of the greatest and deepest ballads in human history 💙 Peace Love and Heaven's Door ❤️
@chandand5740
How can I not like this wonderful rendition of an all time favourite - grew up on this stuff 👍🏼