The Ballad of Hollis Brown

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

He looked for work and money
And he walked a ragged mile
He looked for work and money
And he walked a ragged mile
And 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
Baby’s eyes look crazy
And they’re a-tugging at your sleeve
You walk the floor and wonder why
With every breath you breathe

Your babies are crying louder now
It’s a-poundin' on your brain
Your babies are crying louder now
It’s a-poundin' on your brain
Your wife’s screams are stabbin' ya'
Like the dirty drivin' rain

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 the wall

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

Seven people dead
On a South Dakota farm
Seven people dead
On a South Dakota farm
Somewhere's in the distance
There’s seven new people born