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