Bob Dylan — Ballad of Hollis Brown

[Verse 1] 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 [Verse 2] He looked for work and money And he walked a ragged mile He looked for work and money And ya' walked a ragged mile Your children are so hungry That they don’t know how to smile [Verse 3] Your baby’s eyes look crazy They’re a-tugging at your sleeve Your baby’s eyes look crazy They’re a-tugging at your sleeve You walk the floor and wonder why With every breath you breathe [Verse 4] 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? [Verse 5] He prayed to the Lord above Oh please send you a friend He prayed to the Lord above Oh please send you a friend Your empty pockets tell ya' That you ain’t a-got no friend [Verse 6] Your babies are crying louder now It’s a-poundin' on your brain Your babies are crying louder now It’s a-poundin' on your brain Your wife’s screams are stabbin' ya Like the dirty drivin' rain [Verse 7] Your grass is turnin' black There’s no water in your well Your grass is turnin' black There’s no water in your well You spent your last lone dollar On seven shotgun shells [Verse 8] 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 hanging on the wall [Verse 9] 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 holding in your hand [Verse 10] 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 poundin' roar [Verse 11] 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