Knockin On Heavens Door
Indigo Girls · Other Songs - Indigo Girls
have been doing it now and then since at least 1988. There's
something about the girls' version that kinda confuses me... See,
the official Dylan lyric sheet has two verses:
Mama, take this badge off of me
I can't use it anymore
It's getting dark, too dark for me to see
I feel like I'm 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...
Though I know that Dylan often sings a third verse live:
Mama, wipe the blood from my face
I can't see through it anymore
It's a feeling that I just can't trace
I feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door...
Though in every IG version I have, Amy sings the following third
verse:
Mama, wipe this blood from my face
I can't see through the walls
Six white horses coming to carry me away
I feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door...
So, I don't know whether Amy re-wrote Dylan's third verse, or whether
it's from some Dylan version I don't know. What I'm trying to say is
that I don't know whether to attribute the "six white horses" line to
Dylan or to Amy.
To further complicate matters, I've got one version that features a
FOURTH verse, sung by Michelle Malone. This verse breaks both the
meter and the rhyme scheme (ABBB in favor of ABAB), so I'm willing to
bet that it's just Ms. Malone improvising...
Mama, take these chains off of me
'Cause I don't want them anymore
They're getting too damn heavy, I'm crawling across the floor
I feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door...
Oh - BTW - the first person who asks me about the "Guns-n-Roses"
version will feel my wrath...
-Vic.
.
Knockin' On Heaven's Door
The Indigo Girls' rendition of "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" stands as a testament to their ability to reinterpret classic material through their distinctive folk-rock lens. While originally written by Bob Dylan, the duo's version captures the somber gravity of the composition with their signature harmonies and acoustic instrumentation. This recording highlights the band's long-standing commitment to exploring themes of mortality and transition, hallmarks of their broader discography. By covering such an iconic track, they bridge the gap between traditional songwriting and their own contemporary sound, offering listeners a fresh perspective on a timeless piece. The performance remains a significant song in their catalogue, showcasing the emotional depth that has defined their career and resonated with audiences for decades.