This is my own inpretation, and I took a personal spin on it.
I agree with everyone's opinion on it being about the singer losing his faith in the world, but for me, the singer lost it because of a particular person. This person is the "guide that has only led me astray." To me, the singer is dependent on this person and relies on their vision of the world as reality. However, this "guide" doesn't have the best intentions for the singer, and he starts to realize this, causing the vision that the "guide" implemented into his mind, to deteriorate. The song is about the destruction of this world he believed in when he discovers the person doesn't have the best intentions after all.
The singer puts his "ears to the ground" and "the sky stares at him," yet he can't seem to see, hear, or speak. He's frozen in time, in shock, because he doesn't have his own opinion on the world. After all, he's "gun-shy," like a dog that avoids danger.
He tries to confront the "guide":
"And when I try to face you
You're walking away"
And,
"We're cut off at the knees (Can't even take a stand)"
Yet, the "guide" continues to watch him from a distance: "You're always standing there (A shadow I can't see)"
The chorus reveals the deep meaning of the song, describes the ignorance the singer experienced, but leaves us with a haunting last line:
"And even as I limp (You smile)"
Meaning that the "guide" knows how much pain and confusion they are causing, but enjoys every bit of it.
This is my own inpretation, and I took a personal spin on it. I agree with everyone's opinion on it being about the singer losing his faith in the world, but for me, the singer lost it because of a particular person. This person is the "guide that has only led me astray." To me, the singer is dependent on this person and relies on their vision of the world as reality. However, this "guide" doesn't have the best intentions for the singer, and he starts to realize this, causing the vision that the "guide" implemented into his mind, to deteriorate. The song is about the destruction of this world he believed in when he discovers the person doesn't have the best intentions after all. The singer puts his "ears to the ground" and "the sky stares at him," yet he can't seem to see, hear, or speak. He's frozen in time, in shock, because he doesn't have his own opinion on the world. After all, he's "gun-shy," like a dog that avoids danger. He tries to confront the "guide": "And when I try to face you You're walking away" And, "We're cut off at the knees (Can't even take a stand)" Yet, the "guide" continues to watch him from a distance: "You're always standing there (A shadow I can't see)" The chorus reveals the deep meaning of the song, describes the ignorance the singer experienced, but leaves us with a haunting last line: "And even as I limp (You smile)" Meaning that the "guide" knows how much pain and confusion they are causing, but enjoys every bit of it.