Lyric discussion by harmonicaplayer 

Cover art for I Stay Away lyrics by Alice in Chains

this song could honestly be a million things....i think that it's about someone calling out for help from someone and he' can't find it so he starts slowly slipping into his own world where his own demons and fears take him over and somehow everything that was going right now starts to fall to pieces.....

That interpretation would be consistent with his life and other lyrics, particularly "Core," in which he says "... You are blamed for all that is a mystery whithin myself -- Burning Oh, I pray that I might someday Throw a blanket over that angry child If the strength is found within the Core of my being His tears soak my heart and weight it down I am tired, I am numb, and I am so very, very lonely. I am . . ."

I also think about Angry Chair's quote "Weight of my heart, not the size..."

not too mention that he feels that no matter where he goes or what he tries, the effort is always used against him...