A Fond Farewell by Elliott Smith is a melancholic song that delves into themes of loss, addiction, and resignation. The song reflects Smith's struggle with substance abuse and the feelings of self-destruction that accompany it. He addresses saying goodbye to his old self and the destructive habits holding him back. Key themes include sorrow, internal conflict, and a longing for peace. Poignant moments are found in lines where he speaks directly to his pain and the inevitability of his fate, highlighting a mixture of fatalism and fragile hope.