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

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 tuggin' at your sleeve
Your baby's eyes look crazy
They're tuggin' at your sleeve
You walk the floor and wonder why
With every breath you breathe

The rats have got your flour
Bad blood has got your mare
The rats have got your flour
Bad blood has got your mare
If there's anyone that knows
Is there anyone that cares

You know you prayed to the Lord above
To please send you a friend
You know you prayed to the Lord above
Please send you a friend
But your empty pockets tell you
That you ain't got no friend, no

Your babies are crying now
It's pounding in your brain
And your wife's screams are stabbin'
Like the dirty drivin' rain

Your grass is turning black
And there's no water in your well
Your grass is turning black
And there's no water in your well
You spent your last lone dollar
On seven shotgun shells

The way out in the wilderness
A cold coyote calls
The 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

And now there's seven breezes blowin'
All around the cabin door
Now there's seven breezes blowin'
All around the cabin door
And seven shots ring out
Like the ocean's pounding roar

There's seven people dead
Out on a south Dakota farm
There's seven people dead
Out on a south Dakota farm
Somewhere in the distance
There's seven new people born