The Ghost Of Tom Joad
Pete Seeger & Bruce Springsteen Lyrics

Men walking 'long the railroad tracks
People are traveling along the tracks because they have no other way of going to their destination.

Going someplace, there's no going back
They are moving to a place with no return, either they have left or have been forced out of their home.

Highway patrol choppers coming up over the ridge
Police helicopters are looking over to see if people are doing anything illegal. The surveillance of people continues even in remote areas.

Hot soup on a campfire under the bridge
Homeless people are cooking a meal in a makeshift place, without any food or cooking appliances.

Shelter line stretching 'round the corner
A long line of people waiting to get shelter, whose number is more than what the shelter can offer.

Welcome to the new world order
A sarcastic comment on the state of the world where the divide between the rich and the poor is constantly increasing.

Families sleeping in the cars in the southwest
People are struggling to afford housing and are forced to sleep in their cars.

No home, no job, no peace, no rest
The people living in these conditions have no basic necessities such as shelter or employment, which is leading to lack of rest and peace in their lives.

Well the highway is alive tonight
The road is always busy with people going to their destinations.

But nobody's kidding nobody about where it goes
Everyone knows that the current situation of the world is bleak, and the highway only leads to a dark future.

I'm sitting down here in the campfire light
The singer is currently in a survival mode and is taking a break to regain their strength.

Searching for the ghost of Tom Joad
The artist wants to find the spirit of Tom Joad, who has been an inspiration for them as a revolutionary and a symbol of hope.

He pulls a prayer book out of his sleeping bag
The singer pulls out the only solace they have left, which is their religious beliefs.

Preacher lights up a butt and he takes a drag
Even religious leaders are resorting to smoking cigarettes to cope with the harsh realities of the world.

Waiting for when the last shall be first and the first shall be last
The singer is waiting for a revolutionary change in the world, where the current norms are challenged and replaced by a more just society.

In a cardboard box 'neath the underpass
Some people are living in a cardboard box, with no other shelter to protect them from the elements.

You got a one-way ticket to the promised land
People are given false promises of a better life which is not possible to achieve.

You got a hole in your belly and a gun in your hand
People have to survive while living under difficult circumstances and often resort to violence.

Sleeping on a pillow of solid rock
Homeless people often have to sleep on the hard surfaces with no cushions or support.

Bathing in the city's aqueduct
People are forced to bathe in open spaces or infrastructures because they don't have access to their own houses or affordable accommodations.

Wherever there's a cop beating a guy
Tom Joad will be present wherever there is an act of police brutality.

Wherever a hungry newborn baby cries
Tom Joad is there in the suffering of innocent children who are born into this harsh reality without any fault of their own.

Where there's a fight against the blood and hatred in the air
Tom Joad will show up when the world faces hatred and discrimination, as he's a symbol of unity and peace.

Look for me, Mom, I'll be there
Tom Joad's mother can trust that her son won't be too far from anywhere he's needed.

Wherever somebody's fighting for a place to stand
Tom Joad inspires those who are struggling for their rights to have a voice and a place in society.

Or a decent job or a helping hand
When people are in search of decent employment, they can look to Tom Joad for inspiration and a helping hand.

Wherever somebody's struggling to be free
Tom Joad represents those who are fighting for their freedom and equality with courage and determination.

Look in their eyes, Ma, and you'll see me
Anyone who is fighting for change and social justice has a bit of Tom Joad's spirit inside them.

The highway is alive tonight
The current situation in the world is not only alive but also very active, with people moving around to survive.

Where it's headed everybody knows
Everyone is aware of the fact that the world is headed for self-destruction without immediate intervention and change.

I'm sitting down here in the campfire light
The singer has taken a moment to reflect and find inner strength, knowing that the fight for a better future is long and hard.

Waiting on the ghost of Tom Joad
The artist is waiting for the spirit of Tom Joad to inspire them to continue the fight for social justice and equality.