The Ballad of Hollis Brown lyrics

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

And they're tuggin' at your sleeve

You walk the floor and you 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

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 a cryin' louder now

It's poundin' on your brain

Your wife's screams are a stabbin' you

Like dirty, drivin' rain

Your grass is turnin' black

And there's no water in your well

Your grass is turnin' black

And 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 the 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 can't seem to stand

Your eyes fix on the shotgun

That you're holdin' in your hand

There's seven breezes blowin'

Around the cabin door

There's seven breezes blowin'

All around the cabin door

Seven shots ring out

Like the oceans 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.