I think this song is more about the inadequacies he feels. There seems to be a big issue with him going to sleep. When he sleeps, and has some quiet time to his thoughts, he feels regret (kinder / purer) for things he does, worried about how to handle his problems (surer), and he feels like a "freak" (beautiful), and at times feels so overwhelmed, that he imagines not waking up at all. Because he's griped with all these inner issues, he feels like he's a different person, so much so, that he feels trapped in another person's body, and starts scratching his skin, to see if the real him is lying underneath it all. He kind of resigns himself to all of those things (devil knows my name/ will salvation come / take away my pain) knowing he'll never find his solution (hope / light / system / solution / to fend off perils in the night) and finds his solace in playing and writing rock and roll.
I think this song is more about the inadequacies he feels. There seems to be a big issue with him going to sleep. When he sleeps, and has some quiet time to his thoughts, he feels regret (kinder / purer) for things he does, worried about how to handle his problems (surer), and he feels like a "freak" (beautiful), and at times feels so overwhelmed, that he imagines not waking up at all. Because he's griped with all these inner issues, he feels like he's a different person, so much so, that he feels trapped in another person's body, and starts scratching his skin, to see if the real him is lying underneath it all. He kind of resigns himself to all of those things (devil knows my name/ will salvation come / take away my pain) knowing he'll never find his solution (hope / light / system / solution / to fend off perils in the night) and finds his solace in playing and writing rock and roll.