The song describes the feelings and impressions of a deputy, who feels that he is dying and can no longer continue his role as a law enforcer.
If you have the opportunity, also visit Lincoln and Fort Stanton, in Lincoln County, New Mexico. While in White Oaks be sure to find Deputy Bell's grave at the Cedarvale Cemetery. Bell is the deputy gunned down in cold blood by William Bonney, when the Kid made his famous escape from the Lincoln County Courthouse. Also in the cemetery is Susan McSween's grave and up at the flagpole, Medal of Honor Recipient, Charles McVeagh, 1833-1880, Company B, 8th Regiment, U.S. Cavalry
The song consists of four chords in the key of G major. Over the years, Dylan has changed the lyrics, as have others who have performed this song. Tony Attwood, writing on "Untold Dylan” suggests that despite the simplicity of the song with just eight lines of verse and a chorus that repeats one line four times, the song is a masterpiece. This effect is achieved through the way (not for the first time) Dylan uses the chord structure that underpins the song.
"Mama, take this badge off of me, I can't use it anymore.
It's gettin' dark, too dark to see, I feel I'm knockin' on heaven's door.
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door. Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door.
Knock, knock, 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 I'm knockin' on heaven's door.
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door."
Here's the movie clip with the song - a fanciful version of Garrett shooting Billy the Kid - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjR7_U2u3sM (Serendipity - the day the Cache Owner looked this up was Dylan's birthday...! And today, for an update – putting in a link for the movie clip and song, Nov. 4, 2015, while commuting to Roswell from Fort Stanton, just as I got to the outskirts of Lincoln the song came on the Ruidoso rock station KIDX [The Kid], and listened to it through the town).