Talking of the Ghost of Old Tom Joad*
"Men walkin' long the railroad tracks
Goin' someplace there's no going back
Highway patrol choppers comin' up over the ridge
Goin' someplace there's no going back
Highway patrol choppers comin' up over the ridge
Hot soup on a campfire under the bridge
Shelter line stretchin' round the corner
Welcome to the new world order
Families sleepin' in their cars in the Southwest
No home no job no peace no rest"
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"Well the highway is alive tonight
But nobody's kiddin' nobody about where it goes
I'm sittin down here in the campgire light
With the ghost of old Tom Joad"
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He created Tom Joad, travelled with Charlie, and was one of the most humane authors. To quote him, "Man, unlike any other thing organic or inorganic in the universe, grows beyond his work, walks up in the stairs of his concepts, emerges ahead of his accomplishments."
*************************************************************
He also advised the young authors as follows:
'I remember one last piece of advice given me. It was during the exuberance of the rich and frantic '20s, and I was going out into that world to try and to be a writer.
I was told, "It's going to take a long time, and you haven't got any money. Maybe it would be better if you could go to Europe.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because in Europe poverty is a misfortune, but in America it is shameful. I wonder whether or not you can stand the shame of being poor."
It wasn't too long afterward that the depression came. Then everyone was poor and it was no shame anymore. And so I will never know whether or not I could have stood it. But surely my teacher was right about one thing. It took a long time - a very long time. And it is still going on, and it has never got easier.
She told me it wouldn't. '
*********************************************************
He had genuine feelings for people, though some critics find some of his writings sentimental or even childish. He was considered a persona non grata (for all practicval purposes) by his own townsfolk, because they felt his epic put them all in bad light. However, the scenario is very different now, and the same people are now proud of, and to honor, him.
*********************************************************
'Now Tom said "Mom wherever there's a cop
beatin' a guy
Wherever a newborn baby cries
Where there's a fight 'gainst the blood and hatred
in the air
Look for me Mom I'll be there
Wherever there's somebody fightin'for a
place to stand
Or decent job or a helpin' hand
Wherever somebody's strugglin' to be free
Look in their eyes Mom you'll see me." '
_________________________________________________
*The Ghost of Tom Joad by Bruce Springsteen
[In memorium: John Steinbeck (Feb. 27, 1902 - Dec. 20, 1968)]
He created Tom Joad, travelled with Charlie, and was one of the most humane authors. To quote him, "Man, unlike any other thing organic or inorganic in the universe, grows beyond his work, walks up in the stairs of his concepts, emerges ahead of his accomplishments."
*************************************************************
He also advised the young authors as follows:
'I remember one last piece of advice given me. It was during the exuberance of the rich and frantic '20s, and I was going out into that world to try and to be a writer.
I was told, "It's going to take a long time, and you haven't got any money. Maybe it would be better if you could go to Europe.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because in Europe poverty is a misfortune, but in America it is shameful. I wonder whether or not you can stand the shame of being poor."
It wasn't too long afterward that the depression came. Then everyone was poor and it was no shame anymore. And so I will never know whether or not I could have stood it. But surely my teacher was right about one thing. It took a long time - a very long time. And it is still going on, and it has never got easier.
She told me it wouldn't. '
*********************************************************
He had genuine feelings for people, though some critics find some of his writings sentimental or even childish. He was considered a persona non grata (for all practicval purposes) by his own townsfolk, because they felt his epic put them all in bad light. However, the scenario is very different now, and the same people are now proud of, and to honor, him.
*********************************************************
'Now Tom said "Mom wherever there's a cop
beatin' a guy
Wherever a newborn baby cries
Where there's a fight 'gainst the blood and hatred
in the air
Look for me Mom I'll be there
Wherever there's somebody fightin'for a
place to stand
Or decent job or a helpin' hand
Wherever somebody's strugglin' to be free
Look in their eyes Mom you'll see me." '
_________________________________________________
*The Ghost of Tom Joad by Bruce Springsteen
[In memorium: John Steinbeck (Feb. 27, 1902 - Dec. 20, 1968)]
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