I'm Not Afraid to Die
Gillian Welch Lyrics


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Nobody knows what waits ahead
Beyond the earth and sky
Lie-d Lie-d Lie
I'm not afraid to die

And there the work of my own hand
Be broken by and by
Lie-d Lie-d Lie
I'm not afraid to die

Sometimes it finds me fast asleep
And wakes me where I lie
Lie-d Lie-d Lie
I'm not afraid to die

Forget my sins upon the wind
My hobo soul will rise
Lie-d Lie-d Lie
I'm not afraid to die





Lie-d Lie-d Lie
I'm not afraid to die

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Gillian Welch and Willie Nelson's song I'm Not Afraid To Die speak about death and the acceptance of it. The singer acknowledges that nobody knows what lies beyond the earth and sky, but they are not afraid to face death. The lyrics suggest a belief that death is a natural part of life, and that one should not be afraid to embrace it. The repetition of the phrase "Lie-d Lie-d Lie" creates a rhythm that reinforces the idea that death is an inevitable part of life's cycle.


The second verse talks about the transient nature of human accomplishments. No matter how much we achieve in life, it will eventually be broken down "by and by". However, the singer is still not afraid of what is to come. The third verse suggests that death can come suddenly, even when one is asleep. However, this does not frighten the singer. In fact, they seem to welcome it.


The final verse speaks of the hope that the singer's "hobo soul" will rise and forget their sins upon the wind. This line suggests a belief in the afterlife and the idea that the soul will survive beyond death. The repetition of "Lie-d Lie-d Lie" at the end of the song emphasizes the conviction that the singer is truly not afraid to die.


Line by Line Meaning

Nobody knows what waits ahead
I am aware that the future is uncertain and unpredictable


Beyond the earth and sky
The unknown future may extend beyond our physical world


Lie-d Lie-d Lie
Repetition emphasising the message


I'm not afraid to die
I do not fear death or the unknown


And there the work of my own hand
My own accomplishments and creations may be destroyed over time


Be broken by and by
Gradually and inevitably wearing away


Sometimes it finds me fast asleep
Death may come unexpectedly, catching me unprepared


And wakes me where I lie
Death will bring me to a new state of being


Forget my sins upon the wind
After death, my past wrongs will no longer define me


My hobo soul will rise
My wandering spirit will transcend to a new existence


Lie-d Lie-d Lie
Repetition emphasising the message


I'm not afraid to die
I do not fear death or the unknown




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID TODD RAWLINGS, GILLIAN HOWARD WELCH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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