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

And his cabin broken down

Well, you look for work and money

And you walked a ragged mile

You look for work and money

And you walked a ragged 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 has got your mare

The rats have got your flour

Bad blood has got your mare

Is there anyone who knows?

Is there anyone who cares?

So you prayed to the Lord above

Please send you a friend

Yes, you prayed to the Lord above

Please send you a friend

But your empty pockets tell you

That you ain't got no friends

Your baby's crying louder now

It's a-poundin' in your brain

Your baby's crying louder now

It's a-poundin' in your brain

Your wife's screams are stabbing you

Like the dirty, driving 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 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 shutgun

That's a-hangin' on the wall

Your brain is a-bleedin' now

Your legs can't seem to stand

Your brain is a-bleedin' now

Your legs can't seem to stand

Your eyes fix on the shutgun

That you're holding in your hand

There's seven breezes blowing

All around the cabin door

There's seven breezes blowing

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

Seven new people are born