Literally, the song appears to be about a fugitive, injured, dying by degrees. Fear of her (or perhaps more likely his) pursuers is keeping the fugitive trapped all night in the ravine. The sun rises and the fugitive anticipates approaching death, unable to hide from the mob, but manages to make it through the day into another night, frantically trying to overcome the paralysis of fear that will kill her even if the mob never finds her.
Literally, the song appears to be about a fugitive, injured, dying by degrees. Fear of her (or perhaps more likely his) pursuers is keeping the fugitive trapped all night in the ravine. The sun rises and the fugitive anticipates approaching death, unable to hide from the mob, but manages to make it through the day into another night, frantically trying to overcome the paralysis of fear that will kill her even if the mob never finds her.