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