The Ghost Of Tom Joad

Track 1 of The Ghost Of Tom Joad, 1995. Full-band version with Tom Morello released as track 10 of High Hopes, 2014.

Official 1996 video unavailable online.

Credits
Performances
Media
Released on Album
Released as Live Download
On The Tracks
Lyrics

The Ghost Of Tom Joad (1995)
- Bruce Springsteen: vocals, guitar, harmonica
- Danny Federici: keyboard
- Gary Mallaber: drums
- Marty Rifkin: pedal steel guitar
- Garry Tallent: bass

High Hopes (2014)
- Bruce Springsteen: lead vocals, guitar
- Ron Aniello: bass, synthesizer
- Roy Bittan: piano
- Charles Giordano: accordion
- Nils Lofgren: pedal steel guitar, mandolin
- Tom Morello: lead vocals, guitar
- Soozie Tyrell: violin
- Max Weinberg: drums

Sowing The Seeds: The 10th Anniversary (Compilation, 2007)
- Pete Seeger: vocals
- Tim Carbone: fiddle
- Mark Dann: acoustic guitar
- David Hamburger: dobro
- Ken Lovelett: percussion
- Bruce Springsteen: vocals, harmonica
- Mike Visceglia: bass

The People Speak (Soundtrack, 2007)
- Bruce Springsteen: vocals, guitar, harmonica

^{Performed live 450 times.}

2018-12-15 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-12-14 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-12-13 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-12-12 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-12-08 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-12-07 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-12-06 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-12-05 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-12-04 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-12-01 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-11-30 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-11-29 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-11-28 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-11-17 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-11-16 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-11-15 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-11-14 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-11-13 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-11-10 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-11-09 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-11-08 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-11-07 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-11-03 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-11-02 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-11-01 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-10-31 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-10-30 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-10-27 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-10-26 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-10-25 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-10-24 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-10-20 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-10-19 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-10-18 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-10-17 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-10-16 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-10-13 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-10-12 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-10-11 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-10-10 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-10-06 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-10-05 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-10-04 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-10-03 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-10-02 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-09-29 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-09-28 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-09-27 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-09-26 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-09-07 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-09-06 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-09-05 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-09-04 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-08-31 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-08-30 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-08-29 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-08-28 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-08-25 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-08-24 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-08-23 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-08-22 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-08-18 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-08-17 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-08-16 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-08-15 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-08-14 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-08-11 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-08-10 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-08-09 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-08-08 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-07-27 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-07-26 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-07-25 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-07-24 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-07-21 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-07-20 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-07-18 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-07-17 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-07-14 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-07-13 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-07-12 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-07-11 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-07-10 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-06-30 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-06-29 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-06-28 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-06-27 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-06-23 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-06-22 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-06-21 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-06-20 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-06-19 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-04-07 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-04-06 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-04-05 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-04-04 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-03-10 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-03-09 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2018-02-28 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2017-12-30 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2017-12-29 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2017-12-28 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2017-12-27 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2017-12-26 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2017-10-04 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2017-10-03 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2017-09-29 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY
2017-09-22 Pollak Theatre, West Long Branch, NJ
2017-09-19 Pollak Theatre, West Long Branch, NJ
2017-01-12 White House, Washington, DC
2016-08-25 Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
2016-07-16 Circus Maximus, Rome, Italy
2014-05-18 Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
2014-05-17 Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
2014-05-14 Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey, PA
2014-05-13 Times Union Center, Albany, NY
2014-05-06 Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Houston, TX
2014-05-03 New Orleans Fairgrounds, New Orleans, LA
2014-05-01 Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa, FL
2014-04-29 BB&T Center, Sunrise, FL
2014-04-26 Aaron's Amphitheatre At Lakewood, Atlanta, GA
2014-04-24 PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC
2014-04-22 Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA
2014-04-19 Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, NC
2014-04-17 Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
2014-04-15 Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
2014-04-12 Farm Bureau Live At Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach, VA
2014-04-08 U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, OH
2014-04-06 Reunion Arena, Old Site, Dallas, TX
2014-03-02 Mt. Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
2014-03-01 Mt. Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
2014-02-26 Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Australia
2014-02-23 Hope Estate, Hunter Valley, Australia
2014-02-22 Hope Estate, Hunter Valley, Australia
2014-02-19 AllPhones Arena, Sydney, Australia
2014-02-16 AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia
2014-02-15 AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia
2014-02-12 Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide, Australia
2014-02-11 Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide, Australia
2014-02-08 Perth Arena, Perth, Australia
2014-02-07 Perth Arena, Perth, Australia
2014-02-05 Perth Arena, Perth, Australia
2014-02-01 FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
2014-01-29 Bellville Velodrome, Cape Town, South Africa
2014-01-26 Bellville Velodrome, Cape Town, South Africa
2013-06-22 Goffertpark, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
2013-06-20 Ricoh Arena, Coventry, England
2013-05-31 Stadio Euganeo, Padua, Italy
2013-03-31 Hanging Rock, Mt. Macedon, Australia
2013-03-30 Hanging Rock, Mt. Macedon, Australia
2013-03-27 Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia
2013-03-26 Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia
2013-03-24 Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia
2013-03-22 Allphones Arena, Sydney, Australia
2013-03-20 Allphones Arena, Sydney, Australia
2013-03-18 Allphones Arena, Sydney, Australia
2013-03-16 Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Australia
2013-03-14 Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Australia
2012-12-04 Honda Center, Anaheim, CA
2012-09-08 Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
2012-09-07 Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
2012-07-14 Hyde Park, London, England (Evening)
2012-07-11 Synot Tip Arena, Prague, Czech Republic
2012-04-27 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
2012-04-26 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
2012-03-15 Moody Theater, Austin, TX
2009-10-29 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
2009-07-11 RDS Arena, Dublin, Ireland
2009-06-27 Worthy Farm, Pilton, England (Evening)
2009-06-10 Koengen, Bergen, Norway
2009-06-04 Stockholms Stadion, Stockholm, Sweden
2009-06-02 Ratinan Stadion, Tampere, Finland
2009-05-30 Megaland, Landgraaf, The Netherlands
2009-05-23 Izod Center, East Rutherford, NJ
2009-05-21 Izod Center, East Rutherford, NJ
2009-05-18 Verizon Center, Washington, DC
2009-05-15 Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey, PA
2009-05-14 Times Union Center, Albany, NY
2009-05-12 United Center, Chicago, IL
2009-05-11 Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN
2009-05-08 Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, PA
2009-05-07 Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON
2009-05-05 John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville, VA
2009-05-04 Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
2009-05-03 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
2009-05-02 Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC
2009-04-28 Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
2009-04-26 Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA
2009-04-24 XL Center, Hartford, CT
2009-04-21 TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA
2009-04-15 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
2009-04-08 Toyota Center, Houston, TX
2009-04-03 Jobing.com Arena, Glendale, AZ
2009-04-01 HP Pavilion At San Jose, San Jose, CA
2009-03-24 Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
2008-10-06 Oestrike Stadium, Ypsilanti, MI
2008-10-05 Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
2008-10-04 Ben Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
2008-04-08 Honda Center, Anaheim, CA
2008-04-07 Honda Center, Anaheim, CA
2006-11-19 Point Theatre (The), Dublin, Ireland
2006-11-09 NEC Arena, Birmingham, England
2006-11-07 Sportpaleis, Antwerp, Belgium
2006-10-30 Globen, Stockholm, Sweden
2006-10-25 Pabellón Deportivo, Santander, Spain
2005-06-15 Festhalle, Frankfurt, Germany
2005-05-14 Patriot Center, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
2003-09-16 Rentschler Field, East Hartford, CT
2003-02-20 Somerville Theatre, Somerville, MA
2003-02-19 Somerville Theatre, Somerville, MA
2000-06-22 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
2000-06-20 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
2000-06-03 Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA
2000-05-29 Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
2000-05-27 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, NV
2000-05-21 Arrowhead Pond Of Anaheim, Anaheim, CA
2000-05-08 Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, CT
2000-05-03 Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON
2000-04-30 Firstar Center, Cincinnati, OH
2000-04-26 Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
2000-04-25 Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
2000-04-22 Raleigh Entertainment & Sports Arena, Raleigh, NC
2000-04-21 Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, NC
2000-04-18 Compaq Center, Houston, TX
2000-04-17 Frank Erwin Center, Austin, TX
2000-04-15 Freedom Hall, Louisville, KY
2000-04-12 Nashville Arena, Nashville, TN
2000-04-09 Kemper Arena, Kansas City, MO
2000-04-08 Kiel Center, St. Louis, MO
2000-04-04 Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, WA
2000-04-03 Rose Garden, Portland, OR
2000-03-31 Pepsi Center, Denver, CO
2000-03-30 Pepsi Center, Denver, CO
2000-03-19 New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, LA
2000-03-14 Alltel Arena, Little Rock, AR
2000-03-13 Reunion Arena, Dallas, TX
2000-03-10 National Car Rental Center, Sunrise, FL
2000-03-09 National Car Rental Center, Sunrise, FL
2000-03-06 Ice Palace, Tampa, FL
2000-03-04 Orlando Arena, Orlando, FL
2000-02-28 Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, PA
1999-11-28 Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
1999-11-21 Pepsi Arena, Albany, NY
1999-11-19 Marine Midland Arena, Buffalo, NY
1999-11-17 Value City Arena, Columbus, OH
1999-11-14 Gund Arena, Cleveland, OH
1999-11-10 Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
1999-11-09 Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI
1999-11-06 Fargodome, Fargo, ND
1999-10-28 Oakland Arena, Oakland, CA

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Live versions are released on the Columbia Records Radio Hour US-only promotional tape, the 2006 PBS Exclusive, Magic Tour Highlights, the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame 25th Anniversary Concerts CD and DVD, and Springsteen On Broadway.

Live versions are available on the following official live downloads:

2016-08-25 Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
2016-07-16 Circus Maximus, Rome, Italy
2014-05-18 Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
2014-05-17 Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
2014-05-14 Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey, PA
2014-05-13 Times Union Center, Albany, NY
2014-05-06 Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Houston, TX
2014-05-01 Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa, FL
2014-04-29 BB&T Center, Sunrise, FL
2014-04-26 Aaron's Amphitheatre At Lakewood, Atlanta, GA
2014-04-24 PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC
2014-04-22 Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA
2014-04-19 Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, NC
2014-04-17 Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
2014-04-15 Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
2014-04-12 Farm Bureau Live At Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach, VA
2014-04-08 U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, OH
2014-03-02 Mt. Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
2014-03-01 Mt. Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
2014-02-26 Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Australia
2014-02-23 Hope Estate, Hunter Valley, Australia
2014-02-22 Hope Estate, Hunter Valley, Australia
2014-02-19 AllPhones Arena, Sydney, Australia
2014-02-15 AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia
2014-02-12 Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide, Australia
2014-02-11 Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide, Australia
2014-02-08 Perth Arena, Perth, Australia
2014-02-07 Perth Arena, Perth, Australia
2014-02-05 Perth Arena, Perth, Australia
2014-02-01 FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
2014-01-29 Bellville Velodrome, Cape Town, South Africa
2014-01-26 Bellville Velodrome, Cape Town, South Africa
1999-09-30 United Center, Chicago, IL
1996-11-08 Gymnasium, St. Rose Of Lima School, Freehold, NJ
1996-03-19 King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland

THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD - V1	4:20	JOAD
THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD - V2	7:34	HOPES

Note: Written as a rock song for the Greatest Hits project, but abandoned when Springsteen couldn't find an arrangement. Re-imagined as an acoustic song, and recorded May 23, 1995 at Thrill Hill West (Bruce's Los Angeles home studio). Springsteen handles guitar and vocals and his four-man backing band on this recording is Danny Federici (keyboards), Garry Tallent (bass), Marty Rifkin (pedal steel, dobro) and Gary Mallaber (drums). The rock arrangement was premiered live on April 7, 2008 in Anaheim, CA, performed with Tom Morello sharing lead vocals. Springsteen then recorded the rock arrangement in the studio with the E Street Band and Tom Morello in 2013 and issued it on High Hopes in January 2014.

^{Studio Sessions: The Ghost Of Tom Joad}

The Ghost Of Tom Joad

Men walking 'long the railroad tracks
Going someplace and there's no going back
Highway patrol choppers coming up over the ridge
Hot soup on a campfire under the bridge
Shelter line stretching 'round 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
But nobody's kidding nobody about where it goes
I'm sitting down here in the campfire light
Searching for the ghost of Tom Joad

He pulls a prayer book out of his sleeping bag
Preacher lights up a butt and he 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 got a one-way ticket to the promised land
You got a hole in your belly and a gun in your hand
Sleeping on a pillow of solid rock
Bathing in the city aqueduct

And the highway is alive tonight
Where it's headed everybody knows
I'm sitting down here in the campfire light
Waiting on the ghost of Tom Joad

Tom said, "Mom, 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, Mom, I'll be there
Where there's somebody fighting for a place to stand
Or a decent job or a helping hand
Wherever somebody's struggling to be free
Look in their eyes, Mom, you'll see me"

The highway is alive tonight
But nobody's kidding nobody about where it goes
I'm sitting down here in the campfire light
With the ghost of old Tom Joad

^{Visit SpringsteenLyrics.com for other versions of this song.}