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

You look for work and money and you walk a ragged mile
You look for work and money and you walk a ragged mile
All your children are so hungry that they don't know how to smile

Your baby's eyes look crazy, they're tuggin' at your sleeve
Your baby's eyes look crazy, they're 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 has got your mare
If there's anyone that knows, is there anyone who cares?

You prayed to the Lord above, say please send you a friend
You prayed to the Lord above, please send you a friend
Your empty pockets tell you, you ain't got no friend

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

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

Way out in the wilderness a cold coyote calls
Way out in the wilderness a cold coyote calls
And your eyes fix on the shotgun that's hangin' on the wall

Your brain is a-bleedin' and your legs can't seem to stand
Your brain is a-bleedin' now and your legs can't seem to stand
Your eyes fix on the shotgun which you're holdin' in your hand

There's seven breezes blowin' all around your cabin door
There's seven breezes blowin' all around your cabin door
And seven shots ring out like the ocean's poundin' 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, born