The 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 in his cabin, broken down

He looked for work and money and he walked a ragged mile
He looked for work and money and he walked a ragged mile
Your children are so hungry that they don't know how to smile

Your baby's eyes look crazy and they're tuggin' at your sleeve
Your baby's eyes look crazy, now, they're tuggin' at your sleeve
You walk the floor and you wonder why
With every breath that you breathe

The rats, they've got your flour, bad blood, it got your mare
The rats, they've got your flour, bad blood, it got your mare
Is there anyone that knows? Is there anyone that cares?

You prayed to the Lord above to please, send you a friend
You prayed to the Lord above to please, send you a friend
Your empty pockets tell you that you ain't got no friend

Your baby's a cryin' louder now, it's poundin' on your brain
Your baby's cryin' louder now, it's poundin' on your brain
Your wife's screams are a stabbin' you, like dirty, drivin' rain

Your grass is turning black and 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 them 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 your shotgun that's hangin' on the wall

Your brain, it is a bleedin' and your legs can't seem to stand
Your brain, it is a bleedin' and your legs just can't seem to stand
Your eyes fix on the shotgun that you're holdin' in your hand

There's seven breezes blowin' all around the cabin door
Seven breezes 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
Seven people dead on a South Dakota farm
Somewhere in the distance, there's seven, new people born