Sarah McLachlan - Fallen Lyrics Meaning

Watch the video on mute and you see a woman who is introspective, remorseful. And leaving at the end. And a mate who is frustrated and angry - betrayed. Not one frame suggests addiction or someone who is strung out on substances. And when a former addict has a misstep, your friends and partner typically will be there to support you, not abandon you. On the other hand, when the misstep involves an indiscretion with someone else, this is when your friends behave the way they do in this song - turning away embarrassed, with a partner who is angry. This is clearly about a women who cheated, and is now realizing the damage done and what she has thrown away for that "one slip". The lyrics "We all begin with good intent, when love was raw and young" also points to this being about a relationship, not addiction.