The Ballad of Hollis Brown
Bob Dylan feat. Mike Seeger Lyrics
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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
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
"The Ballad of Hollis Brown" tells the story of a poor farmer named Hollis Brown who struggles to provide for his family. The song describes how Brown lives on the outskirts of town with his wife and five children in a cabin that is falling apart. He is unable to find work or provide food for his hungry children, and his desperation eventually leads him to contemplate suicide.
Throughout the song, Dylan paints a bleak picture of life on the fringes of society, where poverty, hunger, and despair are rampant. The lyrics are a commentary on the harsh realities of life for those who lack social and economic privilege.
In the final verse, it is revealed that Brown has killed his family and himself. This tragic ending serves as a warning against the dangers of neglecting those in need and allowing them to fall through the cracks.
Overall, "The Ballad of Hollis Brown" is a haunting and powerful depiction of poverty and despair. It highlights the need for greater social and economic justice, and the importance of supporting those who are struggling to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
Hollis Brown
The singer of the song
He lived on the outside of town
Hollis Brown and his family lived in poverty and isolation
With his wife and five children
Hollis was responsible for a large family
And his cabin fallin' down
Their living conditions are terrible
You looked for work and money
And you walked a ragged mile
Hollis searched desperately for a job that could provide for his family, despite the effort and distance required
Your children are so hungry
That they don't know how to smile
The severity of their hunger deprives even the littlest joys of life
Your baby's eyes look crazy
They're a-tuggin' at your sleeve
The stress and pressure of the situation affects everyone in the family, especially the youngest
You walk the floor and wonder why
With every breath you breathe
Hollis regrets his current situation and the decisions that lead to it
The rats have got your flour
Bad blood it got your mare
Even the little resources that Hollis had are being taken away or destroyed
If there's anyone that knows
Is there anyone that cares?
Hollis feels abandoned and alone in his struggles
You prayed to the Lord above
Oh, please send you a friend
Hollis loses hope and turns to God for support
Your empty pockets tell ya
That you ain't a-got no friend
The lack of financial support is a hard reminder of his isolation
Your babies are crying louder
It's pounding on your brain
The sound of his children suffering is unbearable to Hollis
Your wife's screams are stabbin' you
Like the dirty drivin' rain
Even his wife's pain is causing him agony
Your grass it is turning black
There's no water in your well
The scarcity of resources is leading to the death of the little they had
You spent your last lone dollar
On seven shotgun shells
Hollis takes desperate measures to protect his family
Way out in the wilderness
A cold coyote calls
The wilderness surrounds them ominously
Your brain is a-bleedin'
And your legs can't seem to stand
The extreme stress is causing physical pain
Your eyes fix on the shotgun
That's hangin' on the wall
Hollis's desperation has driven him to suicidal thoughts
There's seven breezes a-blowin'
All around the cabin door
The air of foreboding suggests something terrible is about to happen
Seven shots ring out
Like the ocean's pounding roar
Hollis has committed a murder-suicide of his family and himself
There's seven people dead
On a South Dakota farm
The tragedy is complete
Somewheres in the distance
There's seven new people born
Life goes on and replaces what has been lost
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind