The Ghost of Tom Joad (song) The Ghost of Tom Joad (song) "The Ghost of Tom Joad" is a folk rock song written by Bruce Springsteen. It is the title track to his eleventh studio album, released in 1995. The character Tom Joad, from John Steinbeck's classic 1939 novel "The Grapes of Wrath", is mentioned in the title and narrative. Originally a quiet folk song, "The Ghost of Tom Joad" has also been recorded by Rage Against the Machine and Junip. Springsteen himself has performed the song in a variety of arrangements, including with the E Street Band, and a live recording featuring Rage Against the
The Swiss Family Robinson name the family "Robinson", it is not a Swiss name. The German title translates as "The Swiss Robinson" which identifies the novel as part of the Robinsonade genre, rather than a story about a family named Robinson. The novel opens with the family in the hold of a sailing ship, weathering a great storm. The ship's passengers evacuate without them, and William and Elizabeth and their four children (Fritz, Ernest, Jack and Francis) are left to survive alone. As the ship tosses about, the father – William – prays that God will spare them. The ship survives the night and