Meaning of "Southern Comfort" by Johnny Cash

The lyrics of "Southern Comfort" paint a stark picture of the impact of settling into a life of monotonous work in the tobacco industry. The protagonist finds himself stuck in a cycle of grinding tobacco leaves and being enveloped in the smoke and fumes of the industry, which serves as a metaphor for the suffocating nature of his existence. The repetition of the phrase "Southern comfort is killin' me" emphasizes the feeling of being trapped and drained by his circumstances. The mention of a woman who left due to his attachment to tobacco highlights the destructive nature of his work on his personal relationships. Overall, the song captures the despair and hopelessness that can arise from being trapped in a lifestyle that slowly drains one's soul.