A man walking long the railroad track
And going someplace, there's no going back;
Highway Patrol chopper comin' up over the ridge;
Hot soup on a campfire under the bridge

Shelter line stretching around 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
Where it's headed, nobody knows
And I'm sitting out here in the campfire light
Searching for the Ghost of Tom Joad

He pulls a prayer book out of his sleeping bag;
He lights up a butt and 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've got a one way ticket to the promised land;
You've got a hole in your belly and a gun in your hand
Sleeping on a pillow of solid rock
Bathing in the cities' aqueducts

Well, the highway is alive tonight;
Where it's headed, everybody knows
And I'm sitting out here in the campfire light
Waiting for the Ghost of Tom Joad
Tom said...
"Ma, 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, Ma; I'll be there
Wherever somebody is looking for a place to stand
A decent job or a helping hand;
Wherever somebody is struggling to be free
Look in their eyes Ma, you'll see me!"

Well the highway is alive tonight;
Where it's headed, everybody knows
I'm sitting out here in the campfire light
With the Ghost of Old Tom Joad!

Well the highway is alive tonight;
Where it's headed, everybody knows
I'm sitting out 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!