GNR KOHD not the same as Dylans' version lyrically.

[Irish gunner II]

I was listening to the song over the weekend and one of my friends would know the bod dylan version version rather than the guns version. And he said that the line "that long black cloud is coming down" is not the same as in the guns version. I thought he was having a laugh but obviously was right.

[NicoRourke]

Sometimes it's the same

That song was from Dylan's "Pat Garret and Billy The Kid" from '73



"That long black cloud is comin' down"

That's the line on his official site.

Lyrics in UYI & HTGTH says "That cold black cloud is comin' down"

But sometimes Axl sings "long" too ...

[Irish gunner II]

Oh right. Ha you learn something new everyday. How my friend picked up on it i dont know. Ill have to check the live era version so,as i was listening to the UYI version over the weekend.

[luciano]

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Bob Dylan uses to sing a third verse in the live versions of the song and according to this site -  http://dylanchords.nfshost.com/12_billy/knockin_on_heavens_door.htm - he always changes the lyrics on live versions, "almost from show to show, with improvised new lines".

Here are some of them:

Live 1975 version

Mama wipe the blood off of my face
I can't see through it anymore
I need someone to talk to, and a new hiding place
I feel like I'm looking at heaven's door

Mama I can hear that thunder roar
Echoin' down from God's distant shore
I can hear 'em callin' for my soul
Feel I'm knockin' on heaven's door

...

Alternative outtake verses from the Burbank sessions, Feb 1973

Mama, put my guns in the ground
I don't need them anymore.
long black train is comin' round
I feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door.

Mama, take this badge off of me
I don't need it anymore.
It's gettin' dark, too dark to see
I feel I'm knockin' on heaven's door.

Mama, put my guns in the ground
I can't shoot them anymore.
that long black train is comin' round
I'm knockin' up on heaven's door

...


various live versions:

Mama wipe the blood from my face
I'm sick and tired of the war
Got a lone black feelin', and it's hard to trace
Feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door
(1974, various locations, incl. the version on Before the Flood, verse inserted between the two verses on the original album)

Mama take these bells out of my ears
I can't hear them anymore
They're bringin' me down and givin' me tears
Feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door

Mama wipe the blood off of my face
I can't see through it anymore
I need someone to talk to, and a new hiding place
I feel like I'm knocking on heaven's door
(Boston, 1975)

Mama take these tears out of my eyes
I can't see through them anymore
Just for once, I'd like to see the sunrise
Feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door
(MSG, 1975)

Mama tow my barge down to sea
Pull it down from shore to shore
Two brown eyes are lookin' at me
Feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door.

Goin' down by that road
Feelin' down and more and more
Take the train by [...]
Feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door.
(London 1981)

[...] on this scene
fallin' down like to the floor
Two brown eyes are looking at me
Feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door
(London 1981)

Mama take me above all that misery
Let it fall down to the floor
Two brown eyes are looking at me
Feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door
(Norway, 1981)

Mama take this [front part away]
I just don't want it anymore
Aah, when I get in front of something it's too much to pay
Yeah, Feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door

Mama take my boat [out of the sea]
Let it fall down to the floor
Two brown eyes are looking at me
Feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door.
(Avignon, 1981)

Mama wipe the blod from my face
I just can't see trough it any more
Sometimes you feel so damn out of place
And I feel like I'm knockin' on-a heavens door
(1988)

The sun is setting down
On this ill-forgotten town
Two riders are coming down
Bury my heart in this ground
(Unknown date and location)


Luciano

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