Ballad of Hollis Brown

Hollis Brown, he lived on the outside of town
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 Hollis Brown, he lived on the outside of town
 
 With his wife and five children and his cabin brokin' down
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 You looked for work and money and you walked a rugged mile
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 You looked for work and money and you walked a rugged mile
 
 Your children are so hungry that they don't know how to smile
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 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
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 You walk the floor and wonder why with every breath you breathe
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 The rats, it got your flour, bad blood, it got your mare
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 The rats, it got your flour, bad blood, it got your mare
 
 If there's anyone that knows is there anyone that cares?
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 You prayed to the Lord above, oh, please, send you a friend
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 You prayed to the Lord above, oh, please, send you a friend
 
 Your empty pockets tell you that you ain't a-got no friend
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 Your babies are crying louder now, it's a-pounding on your brain
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 Your babies are crying louder now, it's a-pounding on your brain
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 Your wife's screams are stabbin' you like the dirty drivin' rain
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 Your grass is turning black, there's no water in your well
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 Your grass is turning black, there's no water in your well
 
 You spent your last lone dollar on seven shotgun shels
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 Way out in the wilderness a cold coyote calls
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 Way out in the wilderness a cold coyote calls
 
 Your eyes fix on the shortgun that's hangin' on the wall
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 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
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 There's seven breezes blowin' all around the cabin door
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 There's seven breezes blowin' all around the cabin door
 Seven shots ring out like the ocean's pounding roar
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 There's seven people dead an a South Dakota farm
 There's seven people dead on a South Dakota farm
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 Somewheres in the distance there's seven new people born