The Ballad of Hollis Brown

[Verse 1]
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 all broken down

[Verse 2]
You looked for work and money
And you walked a ragged mile
You looked for work and money
And you walked a ragged mile
Your children are so hungry
That they don't know how to smile

[Verse 3]
Your baby's eyes look crazy
They're a-tugging at your sleeve
Your baby's eyes look crazy
They're a-tugging at your sleeve
You walk the floor and wonder why
With every breath you breathе

[Verse 4]
Rats have got your flour
And bad blood has got your mare
Rats have got your flour
And bad blood has got your marе
Is there anyone who knows?
Is there anyone who cares?

[Verse 5]
You prayed to the Lord above
Please send you a friend
You prayed to the Lord above
Please send you a friend
Your empty pockets tell you
No, that you ain't got no friends

[Verse 6]
Your baby's crying louder now
It’s pounding at your brain
Your babies are crying louder now
It's pounding at your brain
Your wife's screams are stabbin' you
Like the dirty drivin' rain

[Verse 7]
Your grass is turnin' black
No water in your well
Your grass is turnin' black
No water in your well
You spent your lone last dollar
On seven shotgun shells

[Verse 8]
Way out in the wilderness
A cold coyote calls
Way out in the wilderness
A cold coyote calls
Your eyes fix on the shotgun
That's hanging on your wall

[Verse 9]
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 shotgun
That you're holdin' in your hand

[Verse 10]
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 poundin' roar

[Verse 11]
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