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 Where you looked for work and money And you walked a rugged mile You looked for work and money And you walked a rugged 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 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 babies are cryin' louder now It's poundin' in your brain Your babies are cryin' louder now It's poundin' in your brain Your wife's screams are stabbin' you Like the dirty drivin' rain Your grass is turnin' black There's no water in your well Your grass is turnin' 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 shotgun That's 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 shotgun That you're holdin' in your hand There's seven breezes blowin' All around the cabin door There's seven breezes blowin' All around the cabin door Seven shots ring out Like the ocean's poundin' 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.