[Verse 1]
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 all broken down

[Verse 2]
You looked for work and money
And you walked a ragged mile
You looked for work and money
And you walked a ragged mile
His children are so hungry
That they don't know how to smile

[Verse 3]
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 breathе

[Verse 4]
The rats have got your flour
Bad blood has got your mare
Rats havе got your flour
And bad blood has got your mare
Is there anyone who knows?
Is there anyone who cares?
[Verse 5]
You prayed to the Lord above
Please send you a friend
You prayed to the Lord above
Please send you a friend
Your empty pockets tell you
That you ain't got no friend

[Verse 6]
Your baby's crying louder now
It's poundin' at your brain
Your babies are crying louder now
It's poundin’ at your brain
Your wife’s screams are stabbin' you
Like the dirty drivin’ rain

[Verse 7]
Your grass is turning black
There's no water in your well
Your grass is turnin' black
There's no water in your well
You spent your lone last dollar
On seven shotgun shells

[Verse 8]
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 your wall
[Verse 9]
Your brain is a-bleedin'
And your legs can't seem to stand
Your brain is a-bleedin'
And your legs can't seem to stand
Your eyes fix on the shotgun
That you're holdin' in your hand

[Verse 10]
There's seven breezes a-blowin'
All around the cabin door
There's seven breezes a-blowin'
All around the cabin door
Seven shots ring out
Like the ocean's pounding roar

[Verse 11]
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