Knockin on Heavens Door was written by Bob Dylan in 1973 for the soundtrack of the movie Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid. The song depicts the despair of a dying sheriff who is taking off his badge, symbolizing his forthcoming encounter with death, as a metaphor for change and the end.
Key: G
Introduction:
G
D
C
x4
G
D
Am7
Mama take this badge from me
G
D
C
I can't use it anymore
G
D
Am7
It's getting dark, too dark to see
G
D
C
Feels like I'm knockin' on heaven's door
G
D
C
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door, hey, hey, hey-hey-
G
D
C
yeah Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door
G
D
C
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door, oooh-oh-
G
D
C
yeah Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door-oh-whoa, yeah-yeah-yeah
G
D
Am7
Mama put my guns in the ground
G
D
C
I can't shoot them anymore
G
D
Am7
That cold black cloud is comin' down
G
D
C
Feels like I'm knockin' on heaven's door
G
D
C
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door, hey, hey, hey-hey-
G
D
C
yeah Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door
G
D
C
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door, ohh-
G
D
C
yeah Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door-oh-whoa, yeah-yeah-yeah
G
D
C
G
D
C
Repeat chorus, w/ adlib, x3 (12 lines in total) Last time extend C 1 bar, end on G