Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
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 them 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
Ooh, ooh
The lyrics of Bob Dylan's song "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" describe a feeling of impending death and a sense of surrender. The singer is asking his mother to take his badge, which he can no longer use, indicating that he may be a law enforcement officer. He also asks his mother to put his guns in the ground because he can no longer use them, and he feels that a long black cloud is coming down, a metaphor for death. The chorus, which is repeated throughout the song, emphasizes the singer's sense of inevitability and his acceptance of his fate.
Some interpretations of the lyrics suggest that Dylan was inspired by the death of a friend, and that the song is a reflection on mortality and the search for meaning. The themes of death, surrender, and acceptance are recurrent in Dylan's songwriting, and "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" is considered one of his most powerful and poignant works. The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, and it has become a popular anthem for those facing the end of life or other forms of loss.
Overall, "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" is a poignant expression of the human condition and our relationship with mortality. The song's power lies in its simplicity and universal appeal, as it speaks to the shared experience of loss and acceptance that we all must face at some point in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama, take this badge off of me
I am tired of living my life as an outlaw and want to leave my past behind me.
I can't use it anymore
I am no longer willing to engage in the actions that this badge has symbolized for me in the past.
It's gettin' dark, too dark to see
My life is coming to an end and I can't see my way forward anymore.
I feel I'm knockin' on heaven's door
I am approaching death and feel that I am at the doorstep of the afterlife.
Mama, put my guns in the ground
I want to leave behind my violent ways and pursue a more peaceful existence.
I can't shoot them anymore
I am no longer interested in resorting to violence as a solution to my problems.
That long black cloud is comin' down
Death is approaching and my time on this earth is coming to a close.
I feel I'm knockin' on heaven's door
I am approaching death and feel that I am at the doorstep of the afterlife.
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the idea that the artist is approaching death and is ready to accept whatever comes next.
Ooh, ooh
This repeated refrain is a mournful vocalization that emphasizes the sadness and uncertainty of the artist's situation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sashadeshchynsky919
Lyrics
Mama, take this badge off of me
I can't use it anymore
It's gettin' dark, too dark to see
I feel 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 long black cloud is comin' down
I feel 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
@charroddle8719
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 them 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
@michaelj8647
Finally , the original song !! thanks Bob Dylan
@dwaynewladyka577
Bob Dylan.
@maximoo9861
Agreed!!! What's with all the fake versions on you tube
@leventtrolley9135
Yeah, I swear FINALLY…
@michaelmg7850
@@maximoo9861 on Youtube? I could not even find original on google dude
@tylerdenaro639
I have this song on iPod
@rachelavitea6509
If this song isn't playing at my funeral then I'm not going
@danielliam4927
Best comment EVER 😂
@massimobut4197
Great!!!
@kayvancooten4657
👍🏽😂🤣❤🎶