Ballad of Hollis Brown

Hollis Brown, he lived on the outside of town

Hollis Brown, he lived on the outside of town

With his wife and five children and his cabin brokin' down

You looked for work and money and you walked a rugged mile

You looked for work and money and you walked a rugged mile

Your children are so hungry that they don't know how to smile

Your baby's eyes look crazy, they're a-tuggin' at your sleeve

Your baby's eyes look crazy, they're a-tuggin' at your sleeve

You walk the floor and wonder why with every breath you breathe

The rats, it got your flour, bad blood, it got your mare

The rats, it got your flour, bad blood, it got your mare

If there's anyone that knows is there anyone that cares?

You prayed to the Lord above, oh, please, send you a friend

You prayed to the Lord above, oh, please, send you a friend

Your empty pockets tell you that you ain't a-got no friend

Your babies are crying louder now, it's a-pounding on your brain

Your babies are crying louder now, it's a-pounding on your brain

Your wife's screams are stabbin' you like the dirty drivin' rain

Your grass is turning black, there's no water in your well

Your grass is turning black, there's no water in your well

You spent your last lone dollar on seven shotgun shels

Way out in the wilderness a cold coyote calls

Way out in the wilderness a cold coyote calls

Your eyes fix on the shortgun that's hangin' on the wall

Your brain is a-bleedin' and your legs can't seem to stand

Your brain is a-bleedin' and your legs can't seem to stand

Your eyes fix on the shortgun that you're holdin' in your hand

There's seven breezes blowin' all around the cabin door

There's seven breezes blowin' all around the cabin door

Seven shots ring out like the ocean's pounding roar

There's seven people dead an a South Dakota farm

There's seven people dead on a South Dakota farm

Somewheres in the distance there's seven new people born