Ballad of Hollis Brown

Album: The Times They Are A-Changin' (1964)
Play Video
  • 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 fallin' down

    You looked for work and money
    And you walked a ragged mile
    You looked for work and money
    And you 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 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 you a friend
    Your empty pockets tell ya
    That you ain't a-got no friend

    Your babies are crying louder
    It's pounding on your brain
    Your babies are crying louder
    It's pounding on your brain
    Your wife's screams are stabbin' you
    Like the dirty drivin' rain

    Your grass it 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 shells

    Way out in the wilderness
    A cold coyote calls
    Way out in the wilderness
    A cold coyote calls
    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'
    And your legs can't seem to stand
    Your eyes fix on the shotgun
    That you're holdin' in your hand

    There's seven breezes a-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
    There's seven people dead
    On a South Dakota farm
    Somewheres in the distance
    There's seven new people born Writer/s: Bob Dylan
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Cheerleaders In Music Videos

Cheerleaders In Music VideosSong Writing

It started with a bouncy MTV classic. Nirvana and MCR made them scary, then Gwen, Avril and Madonna put on the pom poms.

Shaun Morgan of Seether

Shaun Morgan of SeetherSongwriter Interviews

Shaun breaks down the Seether songs, including the one about his brother, the one about Ozzy, and the one that may or may not be about his ex-girlfriend Amy Lee.

Real or Spinal Tap

Real or Spinal TapMusic Quiz

They sang about pink torpedoes and rocking you tonight tonight, but some real lyrics are just as ridiculous. See if you can tell which lyrics are real and which are Spinal Tap in this lyrics quiz.

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.