[Verse 1]
Man walking down the railroad track
He's going someplace and there's no going back
Highway patrol chopper coming up over the ridge
Hot soup on a campfire under the bridge

[Verse 2]
Shelter line stretching around the corner
Welcome to the new world order
Families sleeping in the cars in the southwest
But no home, no job, no peace, no rest

[Chorus]
The highway is alive tonight
Where it's headed, everybody knows
Sitting down here in the campfire light
Waiting on the ghost of old Tom Joad

[Verse 3]
Takes a prayer book out of his sleeping bag
The preacher lights up a butt and he takes a drag
Waiting for the last shall be first and the first shall be last
In the cardboard box 'neath the underpass

[Verse 4]
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
And bathing in the city aqueduct
[Chorus]
The highway is alive tonight
Where it's headed, everybody knows
Sitting down here in the campfire light
Waiting on the ghost of old Tom Joad

[Harmonica Solo]

[Verse 5]
Tom says, "Mom, wherever there's a cop beating a guy
Where a hungry newborn baby cries
Fight against the blood, hatred in the air
Well, just look for me, Ma, and I'll be there

[Verse 6]
"If there's somebody's fighting for a place to stand
Or a decent job or a helping hand
If there's somebody struggling to be free
Just look in their eyes, Ma, and you'll see me"

[Chorus]
The highway is alive tonight
But where it's headed, everybody knows
Sitting down here in the campfire light
With the ghost of old Tom Joad