Song Lyric Analysis

ENG 101-ABT 2

Song Lyric Analysis “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” by Guns N’ Roses
Written by Bob Dylan The song I have chosen to analysis is “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” by Guns N’ Roses. My interpretation of the song is that it’s referring to someone who is experiencing the end stages of life. The song uses symbolism to describe the feelings of anger and remorse. Overall, the song is talking about a person who sees the end in sight, and must come to grips with it.
(Verse 1)
Mama take this badge from me
I can’t use it anymore
It’s getting dark too dark to see
Feels like I’m knocking on heaven’s door The meaning of the song comes out in the first verse. “Mama take this badge from me”, (Line 1). The first line speaks of a man asking his mother to take the sickness from him. Like a child asking mommy to make them feel better. “It’s getting dark too dark to see”, (Line 3). This line is using the ultimate symbolism of death, the darkness. As the darkness overtakes him, he can see the end approaching. “Feels like I’m knocking on heaven’s door” (Line 4). The final line of verse one reinforces the life and death struggle of a man whose only wish is to have this burden lifted from him.
(Verse 2)

Mama put my guns in the ground
I can’t shoot them anymore
That cold black cloud is comin’ down
Feels like I’m knocking on heaven’s door The second verse of the song is referring to the man after his death. “Mama put my guns in the ground” (Line 5). The author uses “Guns” as a symbolism for his bones. By saying “put my guns in the ground” (Line 5) he is referring to his burial. “That cold black cloud is comin’ down” (Line 7). In this line the author is referring to being buried. “That cold black cloud” (Line7) is the act of covering the casket with dirt.
(Verse 3)
You just better start sniffin’ your own
Rank subjugation jack ‘cause it’s just
You against your tattered libido, the bank
And the mortician, forever man and it
Wouldn’t be luck if you could get out of
Life alive Throughout verse 3 you see a man who has been defeated. “You just better start sniffin’ your own (Line 9) “Rank subjugation jack” (Line 10). This is a man who has given in to death, and all of the sensations it brings with it. The smell of death overwhelms him. “Cause it’s just (Line 10) you against your tattered libido, the bank (Line 11) and the mortician” (Line 12). Here the author is expressing his brokenness. “Tattered libido” (Line 11) is referring to his body. “The bank” (Line 11) is symbolism for his worldly possessions, and “the mortician” (Line 12) is his body. As I analyzed this song it was clear to me this was a man who was struggling with death. Throughout the song the author’s emotional pain and suffering is evident. In verse 3 the author shows one of the last stages of grief, anger. “It wouldn’t be luck if you could get out of life alive. (Line 12, 13, 14)