Meaning of "John Brown" by Papercuts

The lyrics of "John Brown" paint a picture of a person, John Brown, who is experiencing a mental health crisis. The repeated questions of "Where you gonna go to now?" and the references to seeing faces in walls and hearing voices in halls allude to hallucinations and paranoia commonly experienced by individuals facing mental health challenges. The mention of needing to make sure it's the will of the Lord if John Brown goes downtown suggests a struggle with religious beliefs and possibly seeking divine guidance in difficult times. The lines about someone being "as mad as the devil" and the decline of the land hint at societal decay and the impact it can have on individuals. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of concern for John Brown's well-being and a reflection on the complexities of mental health and faith.