The Ghost of Tom Joad

A man walking long the railroad track

And going someplace, there's no going back;

Highway Patrol chopper comin' up over the ridge;

Hot soup on a campfire under the bridge

Shelter line stretching around the corner

Welcome to the New World Order

Families sleeping in their cars in the Southwest;

No home, no job, no peace, no rest

Well, the highway is alive tonight

Where it's headed, nobody knows

And I'm sitting out here in the campfire light

Searching for the Ghost of Tom Joad

He pulls a prayer book out of his sleeping bag;

He lights up a butt and takes a drag

Waiting for when the last shall be first and the first shall be last

In a cardboard box 'neath the underpass

You've got a one way ticket to the promised land;

You've got a hole in your belly and a gun in your hand

Sleeping on a pillow of solid rock

Bathing in the cities' aqueducts

Well, the highway is alive tonight;

Where it's headed, everybody knows

And I'm sitting out here in the campfire light

Waiting for the Ghost of  Tom Joad

Tom said...

"Ma, wherever there's a cop beating a guy

Wherever a hungry newborn baby cries

Where there's a fight against the blood and hatred in the air

Look for me, Ma; I'll be there

Wherever somebody is looking for a place to stand

A decent job or a helping hand;

Wherever somebody is struggling to be free

Look in their eyes Ma, you'll see me!"

Well the highway is alive tonight;

Where it's headed, everybody knows

I'm sitting out here in the campfire light

With the Ghost of Old Tom Joad!

Well the highway is alive tonight;

Where it's headed, everybody knows

I'm sitting out here in the campfire light

With the Ghost of Old Tom Joad!

With the Ghost of Old Tom Joad!

With the Ghost of Old Tom Joad!