This could be about a suicide of someone named William. The first three verses describe the process of becoming disconnected from the world and convey general feelings of sadness and isolation. In the fourth verse, the singer observes Cathy, evidently someone close to William (probably spouse or mother), as she receives the news and "recall[s] how close to that exit I've been". William's motivations are hinted at in the last lines: "The lifeline retreats / The desire for release / The thorns in his side."
This could be about a suicide of someone named William. The first three verses describe the process of becoming disconnected from the world and convey general feelings of sadness and isolation. In the fourth verse, the singer observes Cathy, evidently someone close to William (probably spouse or mother), as she receives the news and "recall[s] how close to that exit I've been". William's motivations are hinted at in the last lines: "The lifeline retreats / The desire for release / The thorns in his side."