Dear Sun Spots: I am looking for the song “Knock, Knock, Knocking on Heaven’s Door” sung by Guns N’ Roses or Bob Dylan. Thanks for any help. – Marge, No Town.

Answer: According to the Web site www.songfacts.com, “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” was released in 1973. Bob Dylan wrote this song for the film “Pat Garrett And Billy The Kid”; he also appeared in the movie.

Guns N’ Roses covered this song on their 1991 album, Use Your Illusion II. They played it in 1992 at a tribute concert for Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of Queen, who had died of AIDS. A total of 72,000 people attended the concert, which was held in London’s Wembley Stadium. All proceeds went to AIDS charities. Guns ‘N’ Roses performance of this was released as a single in England, where it hit No. 2.

Warren Zevon also recorded this for his 2003 album The Wind. Zevon was dying of lung cancer when he recorded it, and died shortly after the album was released.

The lyrics, taken from the same Web site are:

“Mama, take this badge off of me

I can’t use it anymore.

It’s gettin’ dark, too dark for me to see

I feel like 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 like 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”

According to Bob Dylan’s Web site, he will be performing at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on Birch Street in Lewiston as part of his 2008 tour.

Dear Sun Spots: I have been reading a lot about heirloom tomatoes with great interest. Not wanting to start these plants from seed, I need to know if any of the area nurseries carry potted heirloom tomato plants. Thank you so much. – Brenda, Norway.

Answer: We spoke with Gayle at Smedberg’s Crystal Spring Farm, 1413 Main St., Oxford, 743-6723. They usually have potted heirloom tomato plants available at the end of May. You may call to check their stock or just stop by. Patricia Verrill at Harvest Moon Produce, 11 Kittridge Brook Road, West Paris, grows Brandywine heirloom tomatoes and offers some for sale. Just let them know the size pot you would like to purchase and they would be willing to help. They may be contacted at 674-5903.

Also consider contacting Maple Springs Farm at 808 Maple Ridge Road in Harrison. They sell a wide range of vegetable and flower seedlings, including about 20 types of tomatoes, several of them heirlooms. According to owner Mark Heidmann, he expects to have tomato plants for sale beginning about the third week of May. He will be open for other plant sales on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., probably beginning May 11. You may call 583-4698 for a recorded farm update message.

Anne Carter from Carter’s Farm, 420 Main St, Route 26, Oxford, says they will also have several varieties of heirloom tomatoes available toward the end of May. Please call Anne for summer hours at 539-4848, or Jessica Person at 944-3813.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Advice section under Opinion on the left-hand corner of your computer screen. In addition, you can e-mail your inquiries to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

Copy the Story Link