Gibson was born in Shelby, North Carolina into a poor working-class family, he dropped out of school in the second grade.
Gibson's first band was called Sons of the Soil, with whom he made his first recording in 1948. Among his greatest hits were "Oh Lonesome Me" (later recorded by both Ray Charles and Neil Young) and "Blue Blue Day" (both No. 1 hits in 1958); "Don't Tell Me Your Troubles" (1959); "Sea of Heartbreak" (1961); "Lonesome No. 1" and "I Can Mend Your Broken Heart" (1962); and "Woman (Sensuous Woman)" (a No. 1 hit in 1972).
Gibson recorded a series of successful duets with Dottie West in the late 1960s, the most successful of which were the No. 2 country hit "Rings of Gold" (1969) and the top 10 hit "There's a Story Goin' Round" (1970). In 1957, Gibson travelled back to Nashville to record "Oh Lonesome Me" for RCA. He and producer Chet Atkins decided to abandon the traditional steel guitar and fiddle and use a new sound featuring only guitars, a piano, a drummer, upright bass, and background singers. It became one of the first examples of what would be called the Nashville Sound and won Gibson a #1 hit; it also set the pattern for a long series of other RCA hits, including “Blue Blue Day” (1958).
A talented songwriter, Gibson was nicknamed "the sad poet" because he frequently wrote songs that told of loneliness and lost love. He wrote and sang "I Can't Stop Loving You", a song that would be recorded by more than 700 artists, most notably by Ray Charles with a pop version in 1962. He also wrote and recorded "Sweet Dreams" that would become a major 1963 crossover hit for Patsy Cline. A great fan, in 1967 Roy Orbison recorded an album of his songs simply titled: Roy Orbison Sings Don Gibson.
Don Gibson was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1973 and in 2001 into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
On his passing in 2003, he was interred in the Sunset Cemetery, in his hometown of Shelby, North Carolina.
You Don'T Knock
Don Gibson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Writer W. Westbrook and C.A. Walton
You don't knock you just walk on in the door to heaven's inn
There's love and joy for you to share the whole day through
I know my friends are there to rest in the heaven's nest
You don't knock ring punch a hole
The door's wide open just a waitin' for your soul
I've traveled life's winding road tired with this load
I traveled both night and day so tired hardly bear
Now he's my guiding light and ever by my side
So I'm walkin' not knockin' to heaven with pride
Well you don't knock you just walk on in...
Well you don't knock you just walk on in...
The lyrics to Don Gibson's "You Don't Knock" are a simple yet powerful message about entering heaven. The song describes how one does not need to knock on the doors of heaven because they are already open and waiting. The lyrics convey a sense of welcoming and love, where there is joy and rest for all those who enter. The song mentions how the singer has traveled through the winding roads of life, carrying a heavy burden, but found solace in his faith, which now guides him towards his ultimate destination.
The message of this song is clear - for those who believe, the journey towards heaven is not one of struggle or strife, but rather, a joyous one. The song encourages listeners to embrace their faith, to carry its light with them always, and to trust in its power to guide them towards their final destination. Moreover, the song also highlights the importance of community, where everyone is welcome in the heaven's nest.
Overall, "You Don't Knock" is a sweet, uncomplicated song that conveys a powerful message of hope, comfort, and acceptance. Its message is timeless and continues to inspire people today.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't knock you just walk on in the door to heaven's inn
You don't need to announce your arrival, just enter the pearly gates.
There's love and joy for you to share the whole day through
In heaven, you'll find an abundance of love and happiness to share endlessly.
I know my friends are there to rest in the heaven's nest
I am comforted by the thought that my departed loved ones are at peace in heaven.
You don't knock ring punch a hole
You don't even need to knock or ring the doorbell, just walk right in.
The door's wide open just a waitin' for your soul
The gates of heaven are wide open and eagerly awaiting your arrival.
You don't knock just walk on in
There's no need for formalities or announcements, just enter heaven as you are.
I've traveled life's winding road tired with this load
I've had a long and exhausting journey through life, carrying many burdens along the way.
I traveled both night and day so tired hardly bear
I've endured hardships and struggles day and night, which has left me exhausted and drained.
Now he's my guiding light and ever by my side
But now, God is my beacon of hope and strength, always with me as my guide.
So I'm walkin' not knockin' to heaven with pride
With my faith and pride intact, I will walk into heaven with confidence instead of knocking.
Well you don't knock you just walk on in...
To reiterate, entering heaven is effortless and simple, no knocking or announcing is needed.
Well you don't knock you just walk on in...
Once again, this simple truth is repeated for emphasis and understanding.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: R. STAPLES, WESLEY WESTBROOK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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