Positively Bob Dylan - The Annotated Recordings
The Ballad of Hollis Brown
 Track 2     5.05 minutes
THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN'
LYRICS & MUSIC BY BOB DYLAN
Introduction Guitar - one 
Bob Dylan 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 brokin' down.
You looked for work and money
And you walked a rugged mile
You looked for work and money
And you walked a rugged mile
Your children are so hungry
That they don't know how to smile.
2. 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 ?
3. 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 pocket tell you
That you ain't a-got no friend.
Close Your babies are crying louder now
It's pounding on your brain
Your babies are 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
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 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
Somewhere in the distance
There's seven new people born.

Official Sony Music Lyrics at
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ANNOTATION
Source/Precedents
Based on a 
Comments
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The Critics
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Notes
 
 
ALTERNATIVE RECORDINGS
Bob Dylan
#1 THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN'  Track 2.
#2
#3
#4
Other Artists
1.
2.
3.
4.  

For extensive information on alternate versions see Olof Björner's  excellent ... 
 It Ain’t Me, Babe
RECORDING DETAILS
Recorded: 7 August 1963
Release Date : 13 January 1964
Published :
Studio:  Columbia Studio A, New York, New York, U.S.A.
Master Number: CO-78972-3
Take: 1
Producer: Tom Wilson
Engineer/s: 
Company: CBS
Record Number : Columbia Mono CL 21055
Columbia Stereo KCS 8905
CD Number: CBS 467175-2
Record: Side A  Track 2  (13 January 1964)
CD: Track 2   (Date)
Time:  5.05 minutes
Musicians:
Bob Dylan Vocals/Guitar/Harmonica

All Recording Data usually from Record /Compact Disc Cover, and
Clinton Heylin, Dylan : Behind Closed Doors - The Recording Sessions 1960-1994 Penguin Books 1996

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