Lyrics Ballad of Hollis Brown - Hans Theessink

Hollis Brown he lived on the outside of town 2X
With his wife and five children and his cabin fallin' down

You looked for work and money and you walked a rugged mile 2X
Your 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 2X
You walk the floor and wonder why with every breath you breathe

The rats have got your flour, bad blood it got your mare 2X
Is there anyone that knows, is there anyone that cares?

You prayed to the Lord above, oh please send you a friend 2X
Your empty pockets tell you that you ain't a-got no friend

Your babies are crying louder now, it's a-pounding on your brain
2X Your wife's screams are stabbin' you like the dirty drivin' rain

Your grass is turning black, there's no water in your well 2X
You spent your last lone dollar on seven shotgun shells

Way out in the wilderness, a cold coyote calls 2X
Your eyes fix on the shotgun that's hangin' on the wall

Your brain is a-bleeding and your legs can't seem to stand 2X
Your eyes fix on the shotgun that you're holding in your hand

There's seven breezes blowin' all around the cabin door 2X
Seven shots ring out like the ocean's pounding roar

There's seven people dead on a South Dakota farm 2X
Somewhere in the distance there's seven new people born