song profile

Hollis lived down at Alberta Park
He'd come out at night and look for food
after it got dark
He'd smoke cigarettes he'd find in trash cans
and on the side walks
he'd lay on the beach and let
the waters breathe him in

Pay no attention to men like these
the poor we'll have with us always
if we always turn and leave
Hollis lived down at Alberta Park

Hollis said that sunset for him
was like watching God wake up
They'd spend their nights together
and talk of dreams and love and such
Hollis loved a girl once
Sylvia, she could dance like a queen
the baby died one July sunrise
now that was all just used to be

Pay no attention to men like these
the poor we'll have with us always
if we always turn and leave
Hollis lived down at Alberta Park

Hollis swam out to an island one night
just a little ways from the shore
he lit a cigarette he'd found
and sat down to talk with his lord
he looked up at the stars like he was
lookin' at the promised land
it don't matter what they tell me
i believe he was buried by God's own hand

Pay no attention to men like these
the poor we'll have with us always
if we'll always turn and leave
Hollis lived down at Alberta Park