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 falling 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.
There's bedbugs on your baby's bed,
there's chinches on your wife.
There's bedbugs on your baby's bed,
there's chinches on your wife.
Gangrene snuck in your side,
it's a cut in your lagging knife.
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 flower,
bad blood it got your mare.
The rats have got your flower,
bad blood it got your mare.
If
there's anyone that knows,
is there anyone that cares?
He prayed to the Lord above,
oh please send you a friend.
He prayed to the Lord above,
oh please send you a friend.
You ain't got no money,
boy,
you ain't got no friend.
Your baby's eyes are crying louder,
it's pounding on your brain.
Your baby's are crying louder now,
it's a-pounding on your brain.
Your wife's screams are stabbing like the dirty driving rain.
Your grass 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 long 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 hanging on the wall.
Your brain is bleeding and your legs can't seem to stand.
Your brain is bleeding and your legs can't seem to stand.
Your eyes fix on the shotgun that you're holding in your hand.
There's seven breezes a-blowing all around the cabin door.
There's seven breezes a-blowing all around the cabin door.
Seven shots sing 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.