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Sarah McLachlan – Fallen Lyrics 15 years ago
I know a lot of you are young and not that experienced in life, but this is a song about coping with addiction (probably alcoholism). A lot of the consequences of addiction and themes of 12 step recovery are present directly in the lyrics. First is an acknowledgment that a "higher power" is required for recovery (read the first verse). Addicts/alcoholics try everything but usually fail many times in their search to break the addiction. The allure of the drug, drink, food, sex, gamble, or whatever the problem is overwhelming (second verse). Their addiction is the wound that would not heal, the burden carried on their backs, that, in time, is revealed the next time an opportunity to drink or use presents itself. Addicts/alcoholics engage in regrettable behavior and often lose family, friends, jobs, everything they "held so dear". Lastly, there's the use of the words "missed step" (i.e. of the 12 steps, can't skip any of them) and "you'll slip". A "slip" is exactly how addicts/alcoholics refer to prohibited behavior (i.e. taking a drink).

Nice interpretations everyone. But to a recovering addict, there's no mistaking what this song is about.

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