Man walks along the railroad track 
He's Goin' some place, there's no turnin' back  
The Highway Patrol chopper comin' up over the ridge 
Man sleeps by a campfire under the bridge 
The shelter line stretchin' around the corner 
Welcome to the New World Order 
Families sleepin' in their cars out in the Southwest 
No job, no home, no peace, no rest, NO REST! 
 
And The highway is alive tonight 
Nobody's foolin' nobody is to where it goes 
I'm sitting down here in the campfire light 
Searchin' for the Ghost of Tom Joad 
 
He pulls his prayer book out of a sleepin' bag 
The preacher lights up a butt and takes a drag 
He's waitin' for the time when the last shall be first and the first shall be last 
In a cardboard box 'neath the underpass 
With a one way ticket to the promised land 
With a hole in your belly and a gun in your hand 
Lookin' for a pillow of solid rock 
Bathin' in the cities' aqueducts 
 
And The highway is alive tonight 
Nobody's foolin' nobody is to where it goes  
I'm sittin' down here in the campfire light 
With the Ghost of old Tom Joad 
 
Now Tom Said; "Ma, whenever ya see a cop beatin' a guy 
Wherever a hungry new born baby cries 
Whereever there's a fight against the blood and hatred in the air 
Look for me ma'  
I'll be there 
Wherever somebodies stuglin' for a place to stand 
For a decent job or a helpin' hand 
Wherever somebody is strugglin' to be free 
Look in their eyes ma,  
You'll see me! [repeat 8 times] 
 
And the highway is alive tonight 
nobody's foolin' nobody is to where it goes 
I'm sittin' down here in the campfire light 
With the Ghost of Tom Joad.