Hollis Brown, he lived on the outside of town
Hollis Brown, he lived on the outside of town
With his wife, his five children and his cabin broken down

He looked for work and money and he walked a ragged mile
He looked for work and money and he walked a ragged mile
But your children are so hungry that they don't know how to smile

The rats got your flour, bad blood, it got your mare
The rats got your flour, bad blood, it got your mare
Is there anyone that knows? Is there anyone who 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 got no friends

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, you wonder why with every breath you breathe

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 lone last dollar on seven shotgun shells

And away out in the wilderness a lone coyote calls
Away out in the wilderness a lone coyote calls
Your eyes fix on the shotgun that's a-hanging on the wall

And 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 shotgun that your 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 rang 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