The Ghost of Tom Joad
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- Опубликовано: 9 фев 2025
- My Project for autumn 2011 was going to be based on the Bruce Springsteen/Johnny Cash working of "Highway Patrolman", but I read "The Grapes of Wrath", finally saw the link with the Springsteen song with the main character's name and decided it was a worthy theme for a short video project.
Of course this is not a new subject for You Tube and I have to admit that I was influenced greatly by the work of YachiruXx (respect) in developing my own version. What I've tried to do is to strengthen to link to the period and the book and the film and Fonda's words in particular, and to recognise the work of Dorothea Lange, in capturing the images of the plight of the "Okies" during and after their migration across America, which in turn inspired Steinbeck in writing his novel.
I wanted my film to be widescreen so this has meant editing and panning across the original images. I searched the Internet for the highest resolution images I could find and some are so clear they could have been taken yesterday. Thanks to all the artists who have made their material available in this way and to the people whose images I have used. The same goes for the stills from the film and the images of Henry Fonda as Tom Joad.
It is customary when making a work of this kind to try and make it relevant for "today" and I thought about using images of Paternoster, Libya or Dale Farm. In the end I decided against it as I believe to use contemporary images would ultimately date the piece; as Tom Joad said "I'll be ever'-where - wherever you can look".
And so to the choice of soundtrack; Fonda's words are taken straight from the DVD soundtrack by playing the DVD through the PC; I found the instrumental portions of the Springsteen "Live in Dublin" version suitably haunting and felt they provided the perfect juxtaposition to the powerful vocals; I also toyed with the idea of using the Sprinsteen/Tom Morello live duet, but while I felt Morello sings his part with passion and depth his guitar work wasn't quite what I was looking for. I finished off with Red River Valley to complete my link to the film.
(2023 note - I have often been asked who the second solo singer is. I believe it is a gentleman by the name of Frank Bruno. In the U.K. we think of Frank Bruno as a heavyweight boxer but of course this another Frank Bruno)
I made great use of the definitive picture of Florence Thompson and there are other You Tube videos that tell the story of how the picture came to be taken and the benefits that came from it. Ultimately the Tom Joad story has to be seen as one of hope and not despair; collectively and by working together we can make a difference.
I hope you enjoy it.
In 2021 I decided to challenge SME's monetisation of this video based on the following argument:
"I believe that my use of this track on my video is FAIR USE as the video only works because of the mix and juxtaposition of film image, music, film soundtrack and real-life images from the time. To claim full monetisation, simply because of the music fails to appreciate this synergy and the work of the creator in bringing these elements together.
While the video uses a version of the Springsteen song of the same name as the video, the inspiration for the video was primarily the book and film “The Grapes of Wrath” (as was the case with the Springsteen song) and the song fitted in with that theme.
I have previously written directly to copyright holder identified by RUclips to open a dialogue on the claim on this video but I have not received any response; I have therefore decided to follow the dispute route to see if that is any more successful."
My dispute was rejected by SME and I decided to enter the appeal process. Tom Joad fought against life’s injustices, so it only felt right that I should. I am delighted to say I won the appeal such that I now have full control of my work.
Now THIS is how you do a beautiful and effective youtube video.
Perfectly edited audio not cut off, or too loud, or too low, and the voice over is wonderful and tastefully done.
No cheesy or misleading click bait B.S.
Nicely edited and well chosen video.
Great sound track.
Nice to see quality work, thank you.
+Josée Angelique Simard Josee thank you so much for your beautiful comments. It's wonderful that you can appreciate the love I put into this. Sometimes things just all come together!
harveywetdog i wanna see yeala do this one! how fuckin cool?
+harveywetdog گفت کآن یار کازو گشت سر دار بلند جرمش این بود که اسرار هویدا میکرد...
I have Tom Joad on my lunch pale. Very good video and better book.
Peace my friend. And thank you.
One time when she was a teenager my niece pointed at the orange sellers at a L.A freeway off ramp and mocked them . I pulled over and yelled “ Noelle! Look at the palms of your hands. Your only four generations from working the fields and picking fruit . Remember that!”
Well said.
'The Grapes Of Wrath,' one of the best films ever made, from one of the best books ever written.
Take a look at the Tom Joad soliloquy from "Grapes of Wrath" movie; pure poetry and empathy of the American common-man 's struggle. ruclips.net/video/i2JR3FmvVAw/видео.html
Yes this is the version I used in my video. Thank you for your comment.
This book is a masterpiece in humanity
Thank you for your comment and I agree with you
It is so comforting to know that there are real people in this comment section!
Thank you for enjoying the video and the comments
@@harveywetdog You're very welcome.🙋
Thank you for honoring these forgotten and haunted Souls, the Migrants of the Dust Bowl!
Thank you 👍
sittin down here on the campfire light with the ghost of ol tom joad.
How many songs can speak to us like "The ghost of Tom Joad"? A monument of literature (The John Steinbeck's novel, "Grapes of Wrath"), a part of History of the United States while the great depression, the tragedy of this people leaving there farms and running away from the sand storms to try to reach their eldorado - California to give hope, to give a future to their children...
The voice of Bruce Springsteen, his music and words, the solemnity of the faces on the photos (from the film or archives ones), a pure moment of emotion... Thank you for this beautiful work "Harveywetdog". Oliver (La Rochelle - France).
+Cordouan 813 Oliver thank you so much for your kind comments I'm so pleased people are still getting so much enjoyment from this video. HWD
This song has so much truth in and it still here today, people, families living in cars and under bridges,dome people lost it all and some just threw it away, God bless us all,,,cause we need it,
Un capolavoro assoluto, ogni volta che l’ascolto ho un groppo in gola
maria teresa d'addio this translates as “An absolute masterpiece, every time I listen to it I have a lump in my throat”
Idem.
Our beauty is measured by our compassion for all our Kindship :-_)
Beautiful!!!!....my soul was here
Thank you very much; I put a lot of my soul into that video as well
How many songs can speak to us like "The ghost of Tom Joad"?
A monument of literature (The John Steinbeck's novel, "Grapes of Wrath"), a part of history of the United States while at the great depression, the tragedy the people leaving their farms and homes and running away from the sand storms to try to reach their dream place - California to give hope and future to their children... Eventually “welcomed” as Okies - “people of a lesser importance”.
Once again, about 80 years since that chapter of history, things haven’t changed much in the world. We are in awe watching the tragedy of the people fleeing war zones or places without hope, looking for a place amongst the societies that harvest and take advantage most of Earth richness and wealth to give their children a better future.
This is a great video, watched it many times and truly inspired by it !
Thank you !!!
Thank you very much, I'm very proud of this video and the inspiration it gives to people
I second that, and double the Thank you!
Thank you I am very proud of this little video and what it means to people
UNA BELLISSIMA ANALISI
А вы наши советские песни послушайте.
one of the best songs, books, and movies
BLOATED GOAT
I had to play this masterpiece twice just to allow my feelings to settle down and realize what a fortunate man I am. Thank you so very much. BG
Thank you for your kind comments.
@@harveywetdog WELL DESERVED, SIR! BG
verry good song and a verry good movie hard times
+Billy Cahill thank you
Steinbeck's incredible ability to touch every human being's heart at its deepest, even millions of miles away from his country and even after 80+ years, is a gift we all need to cherish and to spread around us, to our families, friends and to the newer generations. That book was definitely a life changer and this song perfectly portrays it. I ain't American, nor a farmer, I wasn't even born during the great depression era of the USA, but the book remains relatable for hundreds of millions of poors, oppressed, immigrants and family-attached people, or should I say basically for everyone of us who are capable of having a feeling of empathy. Thank you John.
Well said.
Thank you very much John the video took me months to finish so I’m glad people appreciate the work
Someone needs to do a remake of the movie, although the audiobook is a work of beauty.
Without question. Well said about Steinbeck. I once told a professor that we need another Steinbeck. He said, "What makes you think there is not one already out there? But just that the corporations are keeping him or her back. Those with the money and the power do not want another Steinbeck. It would threaten their power and wealth too much." Could be.
“Life changer “…you said it brother…read Grapes of Wrath for the first time (40 years ago ) at age 16…for a youth that already leaned a little to the left, this book cemented a lot of my feelings about working, living, struggling people…and how we’re all part of one big whole
A Great movie, and an even greater book!
I love this song, the pictures so strong that you feel you want too cray 😪love it ❤
Thank you
It is songs like this that will become the true folk songs of the future. These lyrics will resonate down through the ages. Springsteen will be revered like Seeger and Carmichael. A great video by the way.
Steinbeck was one of the best American writers who worked with migrants as a young man and then wrote of injustice toward all men in so many ways. This sone by Bruce, is my favorites of all time.
Thank you for your comment. Favourite Bruce song of all time, that’s a tough one? I think it would be “Land of Hope and Dreams” for me
@@harveywetdog All of Nebraska is gold too, but I think the ghost of Tom Joad album is the best. I like listening to Nebraska then immediately Ghost of Tom Joad.
Photos are the encyclopedia of life, an image with no apparent life, it tells us much more than a video. In those still images there are the lives that flow, it is enough to be humble and have respect for the less fortunate people and then they will come out of invisibility and tell us everything about their life and ours.
I came from the link of mytext book
Good for you
First heard this album whilst having a coffee in a small cafe in London went out and bought it that weekend been into the boss ever since.
Please listen to RATM, The Ghost of Tom Joad, and become a fan of Tom Morello for life. He is a voice for 2020, doing a Labor Day weekend show with his 96 year old mother in 2020. Playing Lennon's , Working Class Hero, his own You Belong to Me, and yes, Tom Joad. ruclips.net/video/T-8BoWU3XMo/видео.html
I have come back to this several times because someone does good work!
Thank you very much 🙏
I'm an Englishman who has read The Grapes of Wrath 5 times. It is a nasty story, but it also details a truth that the rest of America wasn't aware of. I love what you have done here, as it catches the essence of the book and the truth.
Thank you, I never realised how popular this video was going to become when I put it together all those years ago.
@@harveywetdog I'm glad it is a success, your work is excellent, and this portrayal of reality for farmers, and sharecroppers during the Dust Bowl era is often overlooked. And from what I've seen, Americans are suffering the same privations in the here and now. I love Steinbeck's work anyway, but this story haunts me, as it shows how barbaric people can become.
What a great video and marvelous photos!
Thank you, although different in many ways from my other videos I still see this as my magnum opus and the one I hope I will be remembered for
Deep down of course my work is all the same and explores the relationship between sound and sight and its effect on the human spirit
And I always have to say thank you to the people whose images I borrowed
Simply excellent. As a person who is older than most of you (80) I say things have not gotten easier. Do not give up though, we must persevere, though things have taken a turn we could not have dreamed of.
Very moving. Perfect for Labor Day. Thank you.
+James Naughton thanks James
Absolutely beautiful! I'll be screening this for my students who are reading Grapes of Wrath. Thank you!
Thank you I hope they enjoy it
Teach them the truth please. Thanks.
Something you might consider relating to your students that some fail to cover is how poor farming practices led to the dust bowl. Thanks for teaching our kids.
I hope you aren't in Florida, this is WOKE stuff and is illegal.
Great editing which mixed real pics and pics from the movie!
It is very moving : this beautiful song + the pics + the voice of the late great Henry Fonda + the Red River Valley melody...
Thank you Major. I never really appreciated how well the music and movie soundtrack worked together. I’m also glad I decided to make the video “timeless”.
This is just perfect. You have captured the sentiment, the times, the message and the humanity. Thank you.
Thank you very much, I'm very fond of this video and the response that it's received
well done Bravo if you don't feel something while watching this your not alive!
Thank you
Masterpiece
Thank you
Haunting and beautiful song.
Thank you
These breathtaking 6:08 minutes represent an important part of Americas history better than any thick book...!!! thank you very much & deep, HWD
Thank you Hans that’s much appreciated; as I said at the time “The Grapes of Wrath” is ultimately a story of hope and we all need hope at the moment.
@@harveywetdog ``HOPE for the BEST, expect the worst -- and take what comes....`` don`t surrender !!! Mahalo nui loa again, HWD ;)
Great song. Great edit. Particularly relevant in these days. Thank you.
Thank you - it was my aim to make it timeless.
Best tribute. Bravisssimo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you
One of my favourite song. The video it's a masterpiece. BRAVO. Thanks.
Thank you very much that’s very kind; the film “The Grapes of Wrath” was on the TV in the U.K. yesterday and I have to admit the Henry Fonda/Tom Joad speech (I’ll be everywhere Ma) brought a tear to my eye.
@@harveywetdog believe it or not I have never seen this movie but I have read the book many times. I would like an opinion if the transfer of the book to the screen is good?
The film is obviously “of the time” but is quite faithful to the book copying some of the dialogue verbatim. I’ve always liked the way the film is lit, especially in the dialogue scenes, with a lot shot in the studio as well as on location along Route 66. The film has an optimistic ending and I think ultimately the book encourages us to be optimistic as well. For me I saw the film first and came to the book later so for me Henry Fonda is the definitive Tom Joad.
@@harveywetdog thank you very much.
A work of strength and grace. I feel empowered after this and ready to tear the craw outta the super-rich and the bad in the Establishment
The last shall be first and the first shall be last...
Eventually
Un video extraordinario. Mucha suerte.
Thank you
Bless you, Harveywetdog, for posting this. WOW, this made me feel better about the human spirit. I am a fan of Steinbeck, so this really hit me in the heart. Thank you for creating this video and, again, bless you.
thank you, dorothea lange
Thank you sincerely for posting this. I am using it in my Human Services teaching at the college level.
Thank you Jo Anne that's really humbling; it was a big piece of work for me so I'm glad you're able to make use of it.
fantastic work love the original pics they show the pain of the time. its had to imagine that all of these people are dead now
Thank you for your feedback. It is likely that some of the children are still alive, some of them have also posted videos telling of their experiences.
I think some of those pictures are by Dorothea Lange en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothea_Lange
The Wealth of Nations and The Grapes of Wrath. All business students should read and appreciate and understand both books.
And then some Ayn Rand so they can recognize the echoes of her damn arrogant foolishness whenever they come across it.
And then some Ayn Rand so they can recognize the echoes of her damn arrogant foolishness whenever they come across it.
@@BoojumFed Ayn Rand.....oh boy. With all do respect, we can have a great conversation! Her foolishness? I dont question her. I seriously question her followers. And they scare me.
@@andrewgreaves6448 I'm not sure why you wouldn't question her; the fact that she wrote a few novels and a few papers on why the people who flunked her out of her introductory history and logic classes must have been intellectually/ morally deficient grants her no more intellectual clout than the thousands of other first-years who fail/ drop out because "the professor didn't like me" every year. She's just lucky that she found wealthy American funders who were afraid of the rise in trade-unionists (particularly German ones fleeing the rising shitshow in their homeland) and were therefore sympathetic to the hyper-partisan depiction of the world with them as the heroes she provided. (Which, as I believe you alluded to, was then taken and run with as the base assumptions to many of the more damaging supply-side economic models of the 20th century.)
There _are_ good things to be found in Rand's theorizing, but they are the same good things that can be found in the much more rigorously thought out and internally consistent works of many philosophers; including the ones she straw-mans in order to make herself _seem_ like the logical superior too.
Also, sorry for the double-posting. I'm not sure if I just have a RUclips option miss-applied or what, but I can't seem to either edit or delete the duplicates...
on this miserable day, it was wonderful to see and hear this, cheers. even my 4 yr old daughter enjoyed it, she thinks Tom Joad is a "nice ghost"
No problem, thanks. Only four years to go?
Because of this video Iam reading the book now. Both are absolutely great this video and the book, thanks!
Thank you so much I’m humbled
.......and without commercials. Epic. Still looking for a Tom Joad, capitalism requires it. And thank you. Awesome video. Regards.
Just read the book and found your video. Well done! Tremendous story of survival. "When it's time to go--we'll go. We'll do what we got to do." - Ma
Thank you 😊
Beautiful and haunting. Thanks.
Mr. or Miss harveywetdog thanks for this video, I also read the book, The Great Depression was a terrible moment for US when people was discriminated only because they were poor,
+Braulio Soto thank you for your comments and its Mr Harveywetdog!
My apologies
Дискриминация не прекратилась. Она продолжается. Вы не видите? Это не прошлое. Это настоящее. Капитализм порождает неравенство. Между людьми в стране, между странами.
Love what you have put together! My Dad jumped the boxcars as a young man, and I have always loved this song!
Glad you liked it, thank you.
Can,t stop playing this...thanks again dude, absolutely stunning. Reading Grapes of Wrath again, better second time around.
Hey Brian thanks for that. I'm just setting up my Equestrian Creative profile and I'm going to use your comment as one of my testimonials! Thank you
You are so welcome..all best wishes for your future success.
Fantastic & beautiful
Thank you very much
Heard this on a Xmas radio show which played some of the most meaningful songs for me and my family. My favourite version yet thanks and all the best for 2023 🎉❤
Thank you and all the best for you as well
@@harveywetdog ❤️
Wow, what a great video you have made. This is probably my all time favourite song, and I have never heard this version. Thank you so much for sharing!
Steve thank you so much for that. I explained in the comments where I found the song from so I hope it is still available for you. David
harveywetdog thanks! It's not available anymore, but it lives on in your video. Thanks again!
My favorite version. Thank you for posting and I love the pictures
Thank you and yes I agree it is a great version of Tom Joad
Stupenda!
Got the qr code on my “English for today , class 11… 12 " textbook .
Great artist , Song and video
Thank you Alex
I'm using this in a high school class on the Great Depression and Dust BOwl. Thanks for the wonderful production!
Thank you Kathleen and glad you like it. It is also going to feature in an e-book by American author Judy Gerard Thomson
Beautiful work. Thank you.
Thank you James HWD
We heard this song in class!♡
Thanks chief. Kind of sounds like Tom Petty. Love this song and Tom Joad.
Bravo à Bruce de nous transcrire avec tant de justesse la difficulté que tous ces hommes ,femmes et enfants ont dû braver pour une vie meilleure et l'histoire se répète malheureusement. Cette chanson tellement bien écrite et cette musique!!!, beaucoup d'émotions.
Merci merci pour tous vos textes et musiques qui m'accompagnent depuis longtemps. Bravo bravo et encore merci Mr le Boss.
Thank you “Congratulations to Bruce for transcribing with such accuracy the difficulty that all these men, women and children had to brave for a better life and history unfortunately repeats itself. This song so well written and this music!!!, a lot of emotions. Thank you thank you for all your texts and music that have accompanied me for a long time. Bravo bravo and thank you again Mr. Boss.”
Chanson éternelle, très puissance et magnifiquement interprétée.Et très belles diapos.Merci
+Vincent Martinet thank you very much
Mes pensées exactement
Des images puissantes pour répondre aux paroles vraiment bien provocantes ami
Very good work. Just finished the book. Took me years to get around to reading it. An absolute masterpiece
Bellissimo questo video mi rivedo io nella mia gioventù ciao
My favorite book, one that every politician should read well and consciously before taking office in Washington D.C, the State Capitol, or in any Municipal Town Hall.
You did a great job. Really, you caught with your images collection the spirit of the song and book imho.
Thank you
Только дочитал книгу, слезы на глазах.
Good job !!! Congrats !
Thank you
Fantastic video, you captured the tone of the song with your images, love it, added it to my youtube list of songs for Bruce.
Congratulations on such a wonderful piece of work. Hope Bruce sees it.
Brian, thank you very much for your positive feedback. I remember it was a lot of hard work but I'm still very pleased with the result. If Bruce has seen it he's never said! Thanks again HWD
Well done on your appeal success!! A brilliant creation
Thank you - the process is basically designed to frighten creators, but if you hold your nerve the results can be positive
I truly appreciate everything youdid to make this sublime in every sense
Thank you Anita - yes I put a lot of work into this and I've been humbled by the response it has created over the years. Thanks HWDx
Although it seems like a thousand years ago or so, I read all of Steinbeck's novels. This was my all time favorite. It's still in my all time top 3. Bruce perfectly captures the novels emotional plot perfectly. I don't think there is a better novel out there that encapsulates American literature. I would put this up against any novel ever written.
I’m in the U.K. and came to the book through the film. Best novel ever written, wow that’s a tough one but this would be in my top ten (and this is certainly my best video on RUclips so I have to thank Steinbeck, Fonda and Springsteen for that)
@@harveywetdog I'm not saying best, but it hangs in there with the other greats for sure. Somerset Maughm's Razor's Edge is my all time favorite novel, but this is a very close second.
Nice job with the artistic/creative interpretation and skillful blending of several media (and excellent job with your successful appeal to be awarded credit for your work!).
Thanks so much for that - I’m so pleased that the video is standing the test of time because my set up was pretty basic when I made it. The whole appeal process is designed to scare the creator but I decided if there was one video I should make a stand on it was this one
Thanks for the hard work harveywetdog. I show this video to my high school students when we study Grapes of Wrath. Powerful stuff. If only more people cared for their fellow men (and women) . . .
+Joshua Cameron thank you Joshua it is very rewarding that this piece of work, which I put a lot of care into making, has proved so thought provoking and popular. Thank you for using it with your pupils and I hope it makes them think about the world a little more deeply.
OUTSTANDING!! OUTSTANDING VIDEO!!
Thanks for doing the video. Nicely done. A great song, beautiful, haunting period photos. An amazing and tragic part of our history.
I watch this video alot. Sometimes I'm just sad at the way people are just invisible to each other unless they're communicating thru messenger or Instagram. This reminds me that we aren't just robots or programmed brainwashed organisms. Beneath all.of the meaningless miniscule superficialities.... We're all searching for the ghost of old Tom Joad and as depressing as it sounds it gives me hope
That’s deep Candace and you are right, Tom Joad/Grapes of Wrath is a story of hope....... keep watching HWD
Fear not, Tom is out there i wear his name on my lunch pale to work everyday. Cheers.
One of the most haunting songs I've ever heard. I remember my uncle Martin seeing me reading the novel for s school book report on the great depression. He put the song on for me and I still turn to this song alot. Beautifully dark...necesssrily dark with a touch of sweetness. I remember in the book when tom gives the look for me speech I got tears in my eyes and my throat closed up and I had to choke it down so I wouldn't be seen crying lol.
Crying is good! As I said in my sleeve notes ultimately this is a story of hope.
I loved this. Great work, my friend.
Thank you 🙏
One of the modt haunting songs thanks
Thank you
A great Job! I have seen the movie as well.
Thank you Kevin
When he gets Tom Morello in it, it's magic. :)
I think I’ve said in a previous response I did consider the Tom Morello version but the guitar was too strong for the atmosphere I wanted to create
"Waitin' for when the last shall be first and the first shall be last."
Beautiful.
The first time I listen to Tom Joad i wash homeless!!!!! Its 10 yaers ago !!!! Now im just lonesome!!!!
Bellissimo questo video mi ricorda quando ero giovane (la miseria che ho vissuto ) grazie ciao 😂
Superb work, harveywetdog! Truly outstanding interpretation of the novel and the song.
Great work, thank you
THE BOSS !! superbe version
love this tune & video thanks a lot!
Thank you
You really touched me. Great, great video and music.
Thank you very much it’s my number 1 creation
effectively done! thanks for the great video
Harvey. Es precioso el video,me ha emocionado,thank you very much. Gracias.