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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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