Intro: Mama, take this badge off of me | G (4x) D (4x) | I can't use it anymore | Am (4x) Am (4x) *2 | Verse 1: It's getting dark, too dark to see | G (4x) D (4x) | Feels like I'm knockin' on heaven’s door | Am (4x) Am (4x) | Chorus: Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door | G (4x) D (4x) | Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door | Am (4x) Am (4x) | Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door | G (4x) D (4x) | Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door | Am (4x) Am (4x) | Instrumental: | G (4x) D (4x) | | Am (4x) Am (4x) *3 | Verse 2: Mama, put my guns in the ground | G (4x) D (4x) | I can't shoot them anymore | Am (4x) Am (4x) | That long black cloud is comin' down | G (4x) D (4x) | Feels like I'm knockin' on heaven’s door | Am (4x) Am (4x) | Chorus (repeat, fade out or optional solo): Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door | G (4x) D (4x) | Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door | Am (4x) Am (4x) | Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door | G (4x) D (4x) | Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door | Am (4x) Am (4x) | Outro (repeat and fade, or end with a slow strum): | G (4x) D (4x) | | Am (4x) Am (4x) | *3
Knockin' on Heaven's Door Guitar Chords
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door is a melancholic folk rock song by Bob Dylan, written for the 1973 film Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid. It reflects themes of mortality and resignation, using simple yet powerful lyrics over a haunting chord progression.
How to Read These Guitar Chords
- *1, *2, *3: Rest durations (e.g., *1 = short rest, *2 = longer rest)
- (4x): Indicates how many times a chord is played in a row. For example, C (4x) means play the C chord 4 times consecutively.
How to Play Knockin' on Heaven's Door on Guitar
Follow along the full song as each chord is played. The guitar highlights the strings you strum, displays finger placements, and incorporates rests.
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