The Ballad of Hollis Brown - Nazareth

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.

He looked for work and money and he walked a ragged mile
He looked for work and money and he walked a ragged 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 you 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 a friend
Your empty pockets tell you that you ain't got no friends.

Your baby's crying louder now it's pounding on your brain
Your baby's 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 and 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 shells.

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 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
Seven people dead on a south Dakota farm
Somewhere in the distance,
Somewhere in the distance there's seven new people born.




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