Just my thoughts,
Given that this was the first album Ben wrote completely sober, it seems to me that this (along with others on the album) is about his break from alcoholism.
First verse: he's broken the habit and he wonders if it will resurface. Even though he's determined to "shed the skin," he knows that some damage has already been done and he will "suffer in the end" because of it. He has been left "cold and broken" (withdrawl?)
The chorus: "Fast I fade away, it's almost over, hold on" he is fading away from alcoholism as fast as he can, but since influences are everywhere it will always be "almost" over, and he still has to "hold on" to his determination to quit.
Second verse: The temptation will always be there, but in the end, the life he used to live will be washed away, alcoholism wont control him anymore. "forsaken, I live for those I lost along the way" because he has forsaken (abandoned) his drinking problem, he hopes to be inspiration for others that he has lost to the same problem. He cant remember when or why he developed the condition. But since he quit, he lives to fight the urges and to live healthier because of it.
Just my thoughts, Given that this was the first album Ben wrote completely sober, it seems to me that this (along with others on the album) is about his break from alcoholism.
First verse: he's broken the habit and he wonders if it will resurface. Even though he's determined to "shed the skin," he knows that some damage has already been done and he will "suffer in the end" because of it. He has been left "cold and broken" (withdrawl?)
The chorus: "Fast I fade away, it's almost over, hold on" he is fading away from alcoholism as fast as he can, but since influences are everywhere it will always be "almost" over, and he still has to "hold on" to his determination to quit.
Second verse: The temptation will always be there, but in the end, the life he used to live will be washed away, alcoholism wont control him anymore. "forsaken, I live for those I lost along the way" because he has forsaken (abandoned) his drinking problem, he hopes to be inspiration for others that he has lost to the same problem. He cant remember when or why he developed the condition. But since he quit, he lives to fight the urges and to live healthier because of it.