Bruce Springsteens The Ghost of Tom Joad takes its title from a character in John Steinbecks novel, The Grapes of Wrath. Springsteen was inspired by the stories and struggles of American workers and immigration, reflecting relevant social issues at the time of the songs release in 1995.
Key: Am
Introduction:(Studio Version): Am Intro W/Harmonica*:
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F
C
C/B
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G
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*Some live versions and his recording for "The People Speak"
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Man walkin‘ long the railroad tracks
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G
Goin‘ some place there’s no going back Highway patrol choppers comin‘ up over the ridge
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Am/G
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Hot soup on a campfire under the bridge
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Shelter line stretchin‘ round the corner
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Welcome to the new world order Families sleepin‘ in their cars in the Southwest
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Am/G
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No home no job no peace no rest
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The highway is alive tonight
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C/B
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But nobody’s kiddin‘ nobody about where it goes
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I’m sittin‘ down here in the campfire light
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Searchin‘ for the ghost of Tom Joad
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He pulls a prayer book out of his sleeping bag
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Preacher lights up a butt and takes a drag Waitin‘ for when the last shall be first and the first shall be last
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Am/G
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In a cardboard box neath the underpass
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Got a one-way ticket to the promised land
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G
You got hole in your belly and a gun in your hand Sleeping on a pillow of solid rock
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Bathin‘ in the city aquaeduct
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The highway is alive tonight
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C/B
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Where it’s headed everybody knows
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I’m sittin‘ down here in the campfire light
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Am/G
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Waitin' on the ghost of Tom Joad
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C
C/B
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G
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Now Tom said: "Mom, wherever there’s cop beatin‘ a guy
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Wherever a hungry newborn baby cries Where there’s a fight gainst blood and hatred in the air
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Look for me Mom I’ll be there
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Wherever there’s somebody fightin‘ for a place to stand
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G
Or decent job or helping hand Wherever somebody’s strugglin‘ to be free