Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: hardcore
Song Meaning of “Ballad Of Hollis Brown” by Rise Against
The song ‘Ballad Of Hollis Brown’ by Rise Against is a dark and powerful story about a farmer living in a time of severe poverty and a never-ending cycle of doom. The lyrics paint a portrait of poverty, desperation and hopelessness.
The song begins with the speaker introducing the troubles of Hollis Brown, a desperate and destitute farmer who struggles to provide for his family amidst a drought. Despite toiling day and night, Hollis remains unable to achieve financial stability.
The chorus of the song reveals the harsh realities of this situation: “with seven hungry children, and a crop that died in the ground/He prayed to the Lord above, said please don’t let me down/Now in a Coat of Gold, or Coat of Red, a prince or a thief/Oh which shall be the Roamer, which shall be the Chief? ”
The refrain reflects the dire situation Hollis finds himself in, and the terrible choices he must make in order to ensure his family’s survival. The lyrics make us feel Hollis’ despair, as he is faced with the impossible task of providing for his family in a time of extreme poverty.
As the lyrics progress, they reveal the ultimate outcome of Hollis’ story. As the lack of food and money takes its toll, Hollis tragically decides to take his own life. Though his death is the only escape he has left, the song ends on a bittersweet note, as we see Hollis finally set free from the suffering and depravity of his lifetime of poverty.
The song ‘Ballad Of Hollis Brown’ is a gripping and powerful story full of intricate imagery that forces listeners to contemplate the horror of poverty and the difficulties faced by those unable to rise above it. With its chilling story of desperation and despair, it serves as a powerful reminder of the hardships and tragedies that many still suffer in a world of ever-increasing economic inequality.