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 fallin' 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-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 it got your mare

The rats have 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 ya That you ain't a-got no friend

Your babies are crying louder

It's pounding on your brain

Your babies are crying louder

It's pounding on your brain

Your wife's screams are stabbin' you

Like the dirty drivin' rain

Your grass it 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 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 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 pounding roar

There's seven people dead

On a South Dakota farm

There's seven people dead On a South Dakota farm

Somewheres in the distance

There's seven new people born