Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Antony and the Johnsons Lyrics


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Mama take this badge from me
I can't use it anymore
It's gettin' dark, too dark to see
Feels like 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 them anymore
That cold black cloud is comin' down
Feels like 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

You just better start sniffin' your own rank subjugation Jack
'Cause it's just you against your tattered libido, the bank and the mortician
Forever man
And it wouldn't be luck if you could get out of life alive

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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" by Antony and the Johnsons is an interpretation of Bob Dylan's original song of the same title. The lyrics of the song imply a sense of imminent death and an individual's acceptance of the reality of that fact. The song begins with the singer, presumably a dying person, asking his mother to take the badge away from him because he can no longer use it. The badge could symbolize the person's identity or power, which they feel they can no longer wield. As it gets dark, the individual states that they feel like they are knocking on Heaven's door, which could mean that they are experiencing the fear of entering the afterlife.


In the next verse, the singer asks his mother to put away his guns because he can't use them anymore. The guns could symbolize violence or the ability to defend oneself; again, the singer is likely admitting that they are too weak to protect themselves. The line "that cold black cloud is comin' down" suggests an approaching death or sorrow. The chorus repeats the line "knockin’ on Heaven’s door," emphasizing the inevitability of death.


The last verse of the song contains a spoken word piece, where the singer addresses someone named Jack. He speaks about "your tattered libido," "the bank" and "the mortician," implying a sense of despair and hopelessness about the brevity of life. The final line "it wouldn't be luck if you could get out of life alive" suggests that death is the one certain thing in life.


Line by Line Meaning

Mama take this badge from me
I do not want nor can I bear the responsibility and duties of this badge anymore


I can't use it anymore
I am incapable of using this badge anymore due to the emotional burden it carries


It's gettin' dark, too dark to see
The situation is worsening and the outcomes are no longer visible


Feels like I'm knockin' on Heaven's door
I am experiencing a sense of near-death encounter and the prospect of stepping into the afterlife seems more realistic


Knock knock knockin' on Heaven's door
I desperately seek salvation and liberation from my strenuous and unbearable existence


Mama put my guns in the ground
I no longer desire to carry and use my guns


I can't shoot them anymore
My interest in shooting or harming others has completely faded away


That cold black cloud is comin' down
I am immersed in a gloomy and depressive state of mind


You just better start sniffin' your own rank subjugation Jack
You need to realize and recognize your own oppressed and oppressed state of being


'Cause it's just you against your tattered libido, the bank and the mortician
You are alone in your pursuit and fight for survival against your own worldly desires, financial constraints, and the inevitability of death


Forever man
The struggle and suffering of life is a constant and never-ending process


And it wouldn't be luck if you could get out of life alive
Surviving this life is not a matter of chance, it is impossible for us all to escape death




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, AUDIAM, INC
Written by: Bob Dylan

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@leah354z2

Mama, take this badge off o' me
I can't use it anymore
It's gettin' dark, much too dark to see you
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 them anymore
That long black cloud is going' 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 wipe this blood from my face
I'm sick and tired of the war
Don't know if it's night or if this is sun, rising high
Scared of 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



All comments from YouTube:

@IWillHarvestYourToes

Antony's voice is the most bone chilling / haunting in the industry.

@circolombisque2285

Anohni*

@katharinamuller8455

i want this to play on my funeral

@ivorytower99

For me, it would be "Hope", from BAUHAUS.

@addiewages5761

Me too

@pierregregoire3579

I chose this song for my father's funeral, 7 years ago. Still hard to listen...

@katharinamuller8455

@Pierre Grégoire damn, i‘m sorry! Hope you are fine!

@pierregregoire3579

@Katharina Müller Thank you Katharina. I am fine indeed. Once evrey few month, I come back to this song. Thanks for your comment, I really appreciate you.

3 More Replies...

@arnoldmias

Oh my God. Best thing i heard in 2020

@silveriochoque8460

God how can he be so like this, it's just makes you wanna cry.

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