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.
- 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 451 times.
- 2021-05-13 Stone Hill Farm, Colts Neck, NJ
- 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, Saint 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 Benjamin 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
Released on The Ghost Of Tom Joad (1995), The Essential (2003), Sowing The Seeds (2007), The People Speak (2010), Collection: 1973–2012 (2013), High Hopes (2014), and Chapter And Verse (2016).
Live versions are released on Columbia Records Radio Hour (US-only promotional tape, 1995) (recorded December 9, 1995), PBS Exclusive (EP, 2007) (recorded November 19, 2006), Magic Tour Highlights (EP, 2008) (recorded April 7, 2008), Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame 25th Anniversary Concerts (Compilation, 2010) (recorded October 29, 2009), and Springsteen On Broadway (2018) (recorded July 17/18, 2018).
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
- 2009-05-04 Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
- 1999-10-23 Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
- 1999-09-30 United Center, Chicago, IL
- 1997-05-18 Palais Des Congrès Acropolis, Nice, France
- 1996-11-24 Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park, NJ
- 1996-11-08 Gymnasium, St. Rose Of Lima School, Freehold, NJ
- 1996-03-19 King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
- 1995-12-09 Tower Theater, Upper Darby, Philadelphia, PA
THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD - V1 | uncirculating | |
THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD - V2 | 4:20 | JOAD / ESSENTIAL / CHAPTER |
THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD - V3 | 2007 compilation | |
THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD - V4 | 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 Recording, Beverly Hills, California. 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). V3 is an entirely re-recorded version, but was not recorded during any of the three Seeger Sessions. It was recorded at various stages and studio locations during mid-/late-2006. Bruce's parts (vocal, harmonica) were recorded at Thrill Hill Recording, Rumson, New Jersey in August 2006. Pete Seeger's vocals were recorded at Seeger's cabin in Beacon, NY on July 4, 2006. The backing band's individual parts were recorded at various locations around the United States during mid-/late-2006 and then everything was mixed together at Shelter Island Sound Studios in New York City by David Seitz, and produced by Springsteen, Jim Musselman, and Seitz. The recording was first released on September 11, 2007 on the Various Artists charity compilation Sowing The Seeds (Appleseed). V4 was recorded in March 2013 in Los Angeles, the day before a flight to Australia for the Australian leg of the Wrecking Ball Tour, and was produced by Ron Aniello and Springsteen.
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. |
The Ghost Of Tom Joad (High Hopes) |
Men walking 'long the railroad tracks
Going someplace, 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 the 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's aqueduct
Go!
Well 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
Now 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
Tom Morello: Wherever somebody's 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, Ma, and you'll see me"
Yeah!
The highway is alive tonight
Where it's headed everybody knows
I'm sitting down here in the campfire light
With the ghost of old Tom Joad
Well 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
With the ghost of old Tom Joad
With the ghost of old Tom Joad
Visit SpringsteenLyrics.com for other versions of this song. |
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