Ballad of Hollis Brown - Witmark Demo - 1962

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 a rugged mile
 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
 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, it got your flour, bad blood, it got your mare
 The rats, it 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 pockets tell you that you ain't a-got no friend
 Your babies are crying louder now, it's a-pounding on your brain
 Your babies are crying louder now, it's a-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
 You spent your last lone dollar on seven shotgun shels
 Way out in the wilderness a cold coyote calls
 Way out in the wilderness a 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 blowin' all around the cabin door
 There's seven breezes blowin' all around the cabin door
 Seven shots ring out like the ocean's pounding roar
 There's seven people dead an a South Dakota farm
 There's seven people dead on a South Dakota farm
 Somewheres in the distance there's seven new people born