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 have got your flour Bad blood it got your mare The rats have 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 pocket tell you That you ain't a-got no friend.
Your babies are crying louder now It's pounding on your brain Your babies are crying louder now It's 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 Your spent your last lone dollar On seven shotgun shells.
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 a-blowin' All around the cabin door There's seven breezes a-blowin' All around the cabin door Seven shots ring out Like the ocean's pounding roar.
There's seven people dead On a south Dakota farm There's seven people dead On a south Dakota farm Somewhere in the distance There's seven new people born.