Don't get offended, andy, but the first thing I thought of when I read this is God, even though I really doubt that that's what you had in mind. It feels like that the song speaks of someone searching for salvation through faith yet who's unable to rid himself of the 'shadow'. He's looking for the courage to look at 'him'-- the evil straight in the eye and hence make himself true and pure to her--God.
Don't get offended, andy, but the first thing I thought of when I read this is God, even though I really doubt that that's what you had in mind. It feels like that the song speaks of someone searching for salvation through faith yet who's unable to rid himself of the 'shadow'. He's looking for the courage to look at 'him'-- the evil straight in the eye and hence make himself true and pure to her--God.