The band's sound may be familiar to those who have listened to José González’s critically acclaimed solo records, with organs, synths, and drums featured alongside his nylon-stringed guitar and distinctive voice. The songs are often dynamic, melodic and shadowy, with a remarkable sonic approach that is simultaneously intimate and atmospheric.
The Ghost Of Tom Joad
Junip Lyrics
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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
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
The lyrics to Junip's song "The Ghost Of Tom Joad" are a commentary on the struggles and injustices faced by the working class in America. The men walking along the railroad tracks represent the endless search for better opportunities and a way out of poverty. The image of the highway patrol choppers highlights the oppressive nature of authority and the constant surveillance of those who are already marginalized. The "new world order" mentioned in the song likely refers to the shift towards neoliberal policies that have led to widespread income inequality and a lack of social safety nets for those in need.
The song references Tom Joad, a character from John Steinbeck's novel "The Grapes of Wrath," who represents the struggles of working-class Americans during the Great Depression. In the context of the song, Tom Joad is also a symbol of hope and resistance. The singer is searching for the "ghost" of Tom Joad, meaning that they are seeking guidance and inspiration from the struggles of the past.
The song addresses issues of police brutality, poverty, and the fight for freedom and equality. Tom Joad's words, "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 and you'll see me," are a call to action for listeners to stand in solidarity with those who are oppressed.
Line by Line Meaning
Men walking 'long the railroad tracks
Men are walking along the railroad tracks.
Going someplace, there's no going back
They are going somewhere that they can't return from.
Highway patrol choppers coming up over the ridge
Highway patrol choppers are arriving over the ridge.
Hot soup on a campfire under the bridge
Someone is cooking hot soup on a campfire under the bridge.
Shelter line stretching 'round the corner
The line for shelter stretches around the corner.
Welcome to the new world order
This is the new way of life.
Families sleeping in the cars in the southwest
Families are sleeping in their cars in the southwest.
No home, no job, no peace, no rest
They have no home, no job, no peace and no rest.
Well the highway is alive tonight
The highway is busy tonight.
But nobody's kidding nobody about where it goes
Everyone knows where it leads to.
I'm sitting down here in the campfire light
I'm sitting by the campfire light.
Searching for the ghost of Tom Joad
I'm trying to find the spirit of Tom Joad.
He pulls a prayer book out of his sleeping bag
He takes out a prayer book from his sleeping bag.
Preacher lights up a butt and he takes a drag
The preacher lights up a cigarette and smokes it.
Waiting for when the last shall be first and the first shall be last
Waiting for the reversal of fortunes where the last will come first and the first will come last.
In a cardboard box 'neath the underpass
Someone is living in a cardboard box under a bridge.
You got a one-way ticket to the promised land
You only have a one-way ticket to the promised land.
You got a hole in your belly and a gun in your hand
You have a hole in your stomach and a gun in your hand.
Sleeping on a pillow of solid rock
Sleeping on a solid rock pillow.
Bathing in the city's aqueduct
Bathing in the city's aqueduct.
Go!
An expression of enthusiasm and encouragement.
Well the highway is alive tonight
The highway is busy tonight.
Where it's headed everybody knows
Everyone knows where it leads to.
I'm sitting down here in the campfire light
I'm sitting by the campfire light.
Waiting on the ghost of Tom Joad
Waiting for the spirit of Tom Joad.
Now Tom said, "Mom, wherever there's a cop beating a guy
Tom once told his mom that wherever there is police brutality,
Wherever a hungry newborn baby cries
or wherever a hungry newborn baby cries
Where there's a fight against the blood and hatred in the air
or where there's a fight against hatred and violence
Look for me, Mom, I'll be there
Tom can be found in those places.
Wherever somebody's fighting for a place to stand
Tom can also be found where someone is fighting for their place in society.
Or a decent job or a helping hand
or where someone is struggling to find a decent job or a helping hand.
Wherever somebody's struggling to be free
Tom can be found where someone is fighting for their freedom.
Look in their eyes, Ma, and you'll see me"
If his mom looks in their eyes, she will see Tom's spirit.
Yeah!
An expression of agreement or enthusiasm.
The highway is alive tonight
The highway is busy tonight.
Where it's headed everybody knows
Everyone knows where it leads to.
I'm sitting down here in the campfire light
I'm sitting by the campfire light.
With the ghost of old Tom Joad
With the spirit of Tom Joad.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@josephcorry6443
Men walkin' 'long the railroad tracks
Goin' someplace there's no goin' back
Highway patrol choppers comin' up over the bridge
Hot soup on a campfire under the bridge
Shelter line stretchin' 'round the corner
Welcome to the new world order
Families sleepin' in their cars in the southwest
No home no job no peace no rest
Refrain: The highway is alive tonight
But nobody's kiddin' nobody about where it goes
I'm sittin' down here in the campfire light
Searchin' for the ghost of Tom Joad
He pulls a prayer book out of his sleeping bag
Preacher lights up a blunt and takes a drag
Waitin' for when the last shall be first and the first shall be last
In a cardboard box 'neath the underpass
Got a one-way ticket to the promised land
You got a hole in your belly and gun in your hand
Sleepin' on a pillow of solid rock
Bathin' in the city aqueduct
But the highway is alive tonight
Where it's headed everybody knows
I am sittin' down here in the campfire light
Waiting on the ghost of Tom Joad
Now tom said mom, wherever there's a cop beatin' 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
Wherever there's somebody fightin' for a place to stand
Or a decent job or a helpin' hand
Wherever somebody's strugglin' to be free
Look in their eyes mom you'll see me.
@Chendoart
Bruuuuh this song f*cks me up Everytime. My dad is my ghost of Tom Joad 🥺🥺🥺🖤🖤
@boniticia
Eu amo essa música de todo o meu coração. Conheci Junip pela soundtrack de algum programa do Canal Off, tocava Chicken, me apaixonei de cara. Mas de todos os albuns e EPs, essa é certamente a minha favorita. Incrivel como não consigo achar a original (Bruce Springsteen) tão boa quanto essa. Para mim a do Junip é A música, nada de cover e regravação, ela é a original.
@SteelyDan10
You know what's sad? I've been in death metal bands, I love just about every type of metal out there and I still think Junip and Jose Gonzalez are phenomenal. Some people are just so close-minded.
@sklivello
Are you still in love with death metal? What is that music about? Is it about true life, drama and tragedy? About real people emotion?
@brunoruanperes3422
Esse som é um hino!!
@LuteroDDARK
José González you're AWESOME
@josephcorry6443
Men walkin' 'long the railroad tracks
Goin' someplace there's no goin' back
Highway patrol choppers comin' up over the bridge
Hot soup on a campfire under the bridge
Shelter line stretchin' 'round the corner
Welcome to the new world order
Families sleepin' in their cars in the southwest
No home no job no peace no rest
Refrain: The highway is alive tonight
But nobody's kiddin' nobody about where it goes
I'm sittin' down here in the campfire light
Searchin' for the ghost of Tom Joad
He pulls a prayer book out of his sleeping bag
Preacher lights up a blunt and takes a drag
Waitin' for when the last shall be first and the first shall be last
In a cardboard box 'neath the underpass
Got a one-way ticket to the promised land
You got a hole in your belly and gun in your hand
Sleepin' on a pillow of solid rock
Bathin' in the city aqueduct
But the highway is alive tonight
Where it's headed everybody knows
I am sittin' down here in the campfire light
Waiting on the ghost of Tom Joad
Now tom said mom, wherever there's a cop beatin' 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
Wherever there's somebody fightin' for a place to stand
Or a decent job or a helpin' hand
Wherever somebody's strugglin' to be free
Look in their eyes mom you'll see me.
@tinadenfinaNOT
how the fuck can jose gonzalez manage to top mr Springsteen? Surreal. I'm forever goosebumped.
@GODHATESYOUMITTROBME
It's the frame of reference that Springsteen lost decades ago, when he became the richest man in all New Jersey.
@1977Futre
He can't. Springsteen's version beats this hands down. Still decent tho. Harmonica in Springsteen's version is immense.