Fixin To Die

The speaker feels that death is near and describes changes in his mind, eyes, and walk as signs of it. He says he does not fear dying, yet he is distressed by the thought of leaving his children to cry. The repeated lines give the song a grave, insistent mood, while the mention of his children reveals a tender, human concern beneath the stark acceptance.

The “burying ground” makes death seem physically close, and its loneliness at sunset suggests the speaker is facing it alone. The rising “black smoke” may evoke danger, illness, or a dark presence looming over him; the lyrics do not explain its exact source. Asking Jesus to prepare his “dying bed” is a religious expression of seeking comfort or readiness at the end of life.

The song can be heard as a direct account of someone who believes he is dying, but the unusual feelings and movements are not explained, so listeners cannot know precisely what is happening. His words hold two emotions at once: acceptance of his own death and sorrow about its effect on his family. Repetition may suggest fear or exhaustion, even as the speaker insists that he does not mind dying.