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 brokin' down. 

You looked for work and money 
And you walked [bad word] mile 
You looked for work and money 
And you walked [bad word] mile 
Your children are so hungry 
That they don't know how to smile. 

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

You prayed to the Lord above 
Oh please send you a friend 
You prayed to the Lord above 
Oh please send you a friend 
Your empty pocket tell you 
That you ain't a-got no friend. 

Your babies are crying louder now 
It's pounding on your brain 
Your babies are crying louder now 
It's pounding on your brain 
Your wife's screams are stabbin' you 
Like the dirty drivin' 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 
Your spent your last lone dollar 
On seven shotgun shels. 

Way out in the wilderness 
cold coyote calls 
Way out in the wilderness 
cold coyote calls 
Your eyes fix on the shortgun 
That's hangin' on the wall. 

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 shortgun 
That you're holdin' in your hand. 

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. 

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.