Lyric discussion by obsequiousleaf 

Cover art for Beautiful Gas Mask lyrics by Mountain Goats, The

"Never sleep, remember to breathe deep" is the key, I think:

"Once addicts have that first revelatory glimpse of their true self hiding beneath all of the layers of drama and trauma, it's as if they are coming out of a sleepwalking trance. Consequently, they should keep repeating this mantra: 'Don't go back to sleep! Never go back to sleep!' Without vigilance it's easy to slip back into an unconscious state." -- Christopher Lawford, What Addicts Know

(the next song on the album, "High Hawk Season", echoes that: "Rise if you're sleeping, stay awake.")