I agree with Robolitious that the song is probably about a divorce, especially because of the first line of the song.
However, I have an alternate interpretation -- just something that hit me while I was listening to it -- a lot of the song could apply to the experience of losing a wife to a disease, like cancer. Again, I don't think that's what the song was written for, but it's interesting to explore other meanings.
The first verse could represent bitterness of receiving potentially life-altering news.
The second verse: paranoia that comes from worrying that she could be dying, and selfishly worrying about being left alone
Third verse: This one is more of a stretch, but the first two lines basically mean "I fell hopelessly in love with you," then the third line, "part of you was me, neglectful maybe cold it seemed" could be interpreted as the part of her that was sick became the part of him that started withdrawing from the relationship because of fear and pain.
"Despite having the wounds we both imbibe, the scars are somewhere we can't hide" - this could point to an alcohol problem for him, and cancer treatment for her... either the combination was damaging to the relationship, or this is the part of the song where she died.
The next verse would be him grieving his loss for two years, using alcohol as a way to deal with his pain.
"So now I entertain the thought of going on all alone
But you are all the life I've ever known" - pretty self-explanatory
"I swear one day I'll get it back something that is already dead and gone" - he could be talking about his happiness and zest for life
"Again i see the trumpet player looking for his song" - this could represent depression... it's generally a trumpet that plays "taps" at a funeral
"Don't worry I won't follow you, that part of me is learning to let go" - basically saying he isn't going to kill himself, because he's made a lot of progress dealing with the loss
"What was a space is like a cancer in my soul" - she left an empty space when she died, and the space is compared to cancer of the soul - a clue that maybe cancer is what took her away.
Anyway, I might be reaching with that interpretation, and it's clearly me hearing what I want to hear, because it does sound more like a bad divorce... but I guess it's also possible that it could be a strained relationship that might have been moving toward divorce, but the wife got sick and died.
I agree with Robolitious that the song is probably about a divorce, especially because of the first line of the song.
However, I have an alternate interpretation -- just something that hit me while I was listening to it -- a lot of the song could apply to the experience of losing a wife to a disease, like cancer. Again, I don't think that's what the song was written for, but it's interesting to explore other meanings.
The first verse could represent bitterness of receiving potentially life-altering news.
The second verse: paranoia that comes from worrying that she could be dying, and selfishly worrying about being left alone
Third verse: This one is more of a stretch, but the first two lines basically mean "I fell hopelessly in love with you," then the third line, "part of you was me, neglectful maybe cold it seemed" could be interpreted as the part of her that was sick became the part of him that started withdrawing from the relationship because of fear and pain.
"Despite having the wounds we both imbibe, the scars are somewhere we can't hide" - this could point to an alcohol problem for him, and cancer treatment for her... either the combination was damaging to the relationship, or this is the part of the song where she died.
The next verse would be him grieving his loss for two years, using alcohol as a way to deal with his pain.
"So now I entertain the thought of going on all alone But you are all the life I've ever known" - pretty self-explanatory
"I swear one day I'll get it back something that is already dead and gone" - he could be talking about his happiness and zest for life
"Again i see the trumpet player looking for his song" - this could represent depression... it's generally a trumpet that plays "taps" at a funeral
"Don't worry I won't follow you, that part of me is learning to let go" - basically saying he isn't going to kill himself, because he's made a lot of progress dealing with the loss
"What was a space is like a cancer in my soul" - she left an empty space when she died, and the space is compared to cancer of the soul - a clue that maybe cancer is what took her away.
Anyway, I might be reaching with that interpretation, and it's clearly me hearing what I want to hear, because it does sound more like a bad divorce... but I guess it's also possible that it could be a strained relationship that might have been moving toward divorce, but the wife got sick and died.