Grapes of Wrath

i know your son is handicapped
and it can’t be easy
all the useless platitudes
we all say
on the way
to our evenings
i’ve seen some brand name hate
in some generic human beings
people say they wanna change
but they don’t know what they mean
you can never know a loss
like the gaping wound inside you
gnawing at your mind
every building you walk into
if i sing a song of joy
who the hell would believe
if i press the grapes of wrath
is the juice even worth the squeeze
i know you loved your dad
and now he’s dead
yall had some stuff to sort out
now it won’t get said
i’ve seen some brand name hate
in some generic human beings
people say they wanna change
but they don’t know what they mean
you can never know a loss
like the gaping wound inside you
gnawing at your mind
every building you walk into
if i sing a song of joy
who the hell would believe
if i press the grapes of wrath
is the juice even worth the squeeze
what will happen to the shirt that you wore on your birthday
when you realized everything was mostly a feeling
and you blew out the candles
on your birthday cake
everything was surreal
your mother was fake
what’s this strange tradition?
what’s the cult of years
i thought we’d press the grapes of wrath
instead we all got beers
you can never know a loss
like the gaping wound inside you
gnawing at your mind
every building you walk into
if i sing a song of joy
who the hell would believe
if i press the grapes of wrath
is the juice even worth the squeeze

[@juliawhitehead9832]

“I’ve seen some brand name hate in some generic human beings” is such a genius lyric

[@patrickcrisp9357]

I don't get it honestly can you explain?

[@MikeyJ223]

@@patrickcrisp9357I take it to mean that folks who have no business being hateful spitting a very specific line of hate. I.e, someone who has never even met a trans person hating on trans people. Like, the hate is a propagandized or “brand” thing and the people hating are just regular old people. At least that’s how I take it. I like the line, for sure.

[@patrickcrisp9357]

@MikeyJ223 yeah I like this guy's stuff. It's just this one in particular I'm trying to get my mind around thanks for your viewpoint. Appreciate the response

[@solorollo9756]

Gotta be rich to say “13/80”

[@derekgoudie7503]

@@solorollo9756don’t know how you can hate on him. You’re fucked up

[@skyeseas]

Jesse, this personal era you entered upon posting war isn’t murder is already shaping this generation. your momentum is incredible.

[@FallofftheMap]

Heart of Woody Guthrie, mind of Bob Dylan, soul of David Bowie.

[@chaselabarr9034]

John Prine vibes too

[@batticusmanacleas510]

Don't forget Pete Seeger

[@jimiverson6171]

"i know you loved your dad and now he’s dead yall had some stuff to sort out now it won’t get said " Breaks my heart - your music is AMAZING

[@420zackmac420]

Am I wrong, but I feel like that lyric, or maybe this entire song, is a jab at Trump. Either way, a song is meant to be interpreted by the listener like any other piece of art.

[@jimiverson6171]

@@420zackmac420 yeah, i think you should smoke another one lmao. Personally the song makes me think of my dad, and how we were really close, but about a year before he died, we had a bad falling out. Anyhow he ended up in the hospital during covid, and i didn't get to say goodbye. shit sucks, but thats life, hopefully he knew i loved him, and shit happens... Up to interpretation, like all ART, it is what you make it brother

[@420zackmac420]

@@jimiverson6171 I’m sorry to hear that brother, I didn’t mean to offend if I did. I was just curious if anyone else felt the same interpretation as I did. Trumps father died and they had a tumultuous relationship. Trumps nephews son suffers from a severe disability as mentioned in the first line in the song, and 60 minutes Australia just did a story about that a few weeks ago. I am so about your father. I hope you can find peace brother. May God bless you.

[@jimiverson6171]

@@420zackmac420 appreciate the condelences... I didn't know that about trump and his old man. What you're saying makes sense if that's the case. I wasn't trying to be off putting either, learn something new everyday. God bless my friend

[@jimrebr]

@@jimiverson6171 I am in Southern California, visiting my dad who is in hospice dying right now, we were there yesterday and today. It’s heartbreaking 💔

[@clfrancis]

Every person has a before and an after in their life. I thought for many years, my before was before my son was born. It wasn't until he passed away that I truly understood what my before was. Now I'm here in the after. At times, it is unbearable. The complete unconditional love a parent feels for their child is nothing compared to this grief. I feel like the very cells in my body have been altered. That line: Yall had some stuff to sort out now it won’t get said, brings me to my knees. Seemingly so simple, you truly have a gift. I thank you from here in the after. I'm not alone. Jesse ❤

[@amandas.6500]

If we press the grapes of wrath, is the juice even worth the squeeze? What a great lyric!

[@dalevancleefsr]

My son is handicapped. My dad is dead and we had some stuff to sort out. Last week, I reread The Grapes of Wrath. This song is amazing and it's freaking me out.

[@Ring13Dad]

My son is also handicapped I was totally shocked when I heard that first line, just fucking tears man

[@danaparsons760]

Nothing brings me to tears, but this did. This song is my life. Love u Jesse.

[@Rick-wm6zm]

Same. This one is really something.

[@Dlweta57]

Are we witnessing the begining of a phenomenon.... The vocal fry, the linguistic skill , writing etc . somebody sign this talent

[@Rick-wm6zm]

Record labels can gtfo our boy don't need em.

[@f.robertmitchell1]

Good question but that's a line I don't imagine he would sign. Better a song a day with nothing in the way. Caveat subscriptio. Danger Will Robinson!

[@f.robertmitchell1]

It all rolls into one and nothing comes for free. There's nothing you can hold for very long. And when you hear that song come crying like the wind, it seems like all this life was just a dream Stella Blue ~ Robert C. Hunter, Jerome J. Garcia

[@wahoo056]

One of the saddest things in my life is this. My best friend, who passed away years ago is no longer here to watch this. He loved playing Woody Guthrey, Arlo Guthrie, Niel Young, and especially Dylan🙂

[@72marshflower15]

Condolences ✨ In the Great After, we see all. ✨🤗✨

[@PeppertheDorkie]

Just found this. In the first 30 seconds I stopped to like, subscribe and then before I forgot, I put his entire play list on Spotify. Kind of the old new I needed today - on a very low day for me.

[@AltPotus]

Dear Jesse, don't let Corporate America get ahold of you.

[@AndrewBrown-xr8pn]

I always love getting notifications for your new stuff. Keep it up, man!

[@Zeph_42]

I wish this were on Patchwork, I think it might be my favorite one yet. Also realizing how hard this would go as a grunge ballad like you used to write for Welles 🤩

[@cbelyse]

Same! Patchwork is still great though. I want Anything but me, Oh! Love of mine, simple gifts and why don't you love me and this one next haha guess we'll have to wait for the next album. 😂

[@RonaldEllenburg]

Thank you yet again brother. You put more in a single word than all the people I've known in my 70yrs of existence. And that puts you squarely on top of the zillion great songwriters I've followed thru the yrs. I can offer you nothin but encouragement brother , and say that whatever you do....dont ever stop chasing whatever it is you want to obtain from this very extraordinary gift you've been given. I'm not feeding you a bunch a useless rederick here brother........your more than good enough man ; so dont quit on it!!!! Just be patient brother , and let it come to you. Thanks sincerely , ron

[@VicvicW]

I love that "i've seen some brand name hate in some generic human beings", what a line. Yeah. I have also seen that. I think this is one I will have to muse on, really deep it. I'm not sure I quite get it, but I sense the deep frustration in it without perhaps fully understanding. That confusion of your 20s where you're still angry at the world but youre starting to figure out where your particular anger gets you. I think that the juice of the grapes of wrath is very rarely worth the squeeze, man. Thats something i've been learning over the past couple years. Sure what does it get you? More soured grapes. Thats what. The grapes of wrath is a good book. I think Steinbeck would have liked this song. Anyway, just making sure you also know i'd love to support you finanically! Album, youtube audios on bandcamp, heck, even something we could throw money at. I'd happily support a patreon or similar. Nothing extra expected of you, of course. Just want to make sure you can continue doing what youre doing.

[@theconjugate5204]

I’m binging this song today. Absolutely rips my guts out. Can’t sing along without a knot in my throat.

[@carlhartt8346]

The lyricist and artist we've been waiting decades for. Thanks for coming to the future Jesse but keeping it in the past.

[@free-the-whales]

Old music is best. New music is often trash. Except for my boyfriend's one man band look up Gnarly Sheen ha. Joking but srsly

[@delilavalor9210]

At first I didn't like this song as much as the others. But it grew on me and has been stuck in my head. It's what I come back to watch now

[@Kuli24000]

You're like the guy playing guitar around the fire that makes any event a memory.

[@skyeseas]

hahaha… yes. he’s that guy!

[@jimburkett9799]

This guy is the king of those guys.. or at least what they should all aspire to…

[@NicoleymiHere1111]

You are seriously tapped into the pure straight fountain of creativity and the collective consciousness. 🔥🔥❤️❤️

[@hauntedmasklegacy]

i think this everyday about platitudes. its enough to just to be in close proximity to someone a lot of the time. unspoken intuitive solidarity freely given

[@jimrebr]

Another Banger, I love this song, you are taking me through this year. My mother, passed away in March 2024, 6 months ago and I am still grieving, she was one of my favorite people, she was such an Angel 👼, now I’m back for my fourth visit of my dad, he’s so sad and he misses mom so much, he cried on my shoulders and told me he missed mom, which is incredible. He has been losing his ability to talk, but we communicate so well, he is super challenged, because he is totally deaf with Dementia, which he’s had for 14 years or more. Still, I am so glad to see my dad. It was my husband’s 45 wedding anniversary last week and my husband’s 70th birthday next week. We Chose to celebrate by visiting with my dad, dad loves my husband, Jim, loves my dad too, dad always recognizes me and Jim, he didn’t for the first half hour, because he’s afraid I am not real, or I am my mom (I look exactly like my mom) & it hurts him to look at me at first, then he realizes it’s me and he is so happy. Losing my parents was not on my 2024 bingo card, alas, I am just grateful we’ve been able to afford these long trips we live by the Canadian border & dad is in Coronavirus California. I’m feeling sad, bereft, but holding it together as I am the eldest of 6 adult kids, I have to set a good example for my wonderful beloved siblings.

[@jameslong9921]

That's very sweet, much blessings to You your Dad and your whole family.

[@elizabethcanterbury1507]

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. I AM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSSES…… YOU HAVE WONDERFUL MEMORIES THAT CAN NEVER BE TAKEN FROM YOU! 🙏

[@SonAndHeir16]

"i’ve seen some brand name hate in some generic human beings" You got great lines in every song. 🙏

[@pluckerbomb]

NEW LOCATION??? LETS GOOOO

[@LivingRoomRock007]

Dust bowl field unlocked 🔓

[@kolyadampf7550]

Yeah, it’s a rad spot.

[@teajelmore]

He's slowly making his way out of the woods

[@BlackGuardXIII]

Echoes of Another Side of Bob Dylan in those chords. Thanks Jesse, your music is timeless. 🙏

[@HansTyndale]

Woody Guthrie would have approved of this song. He'd probably tell Jesse to put a sign on his guitar, "This Machine Kills Fascists."

[@donHooligan]

may be best not to advertise. "First they came for..."

[@HansTyndale]

@@donHooligan That's the price those guys paid back then when they protested, they laid down their life. "Find the cost of freedom buried in the ground. Mother earth will call you, lay your body down.

[@donHooligan]

good point,@@HansTyndale

[@russelljohnson1303]

Woody Guthrie was communist. A low down Red.

[@jamesraymondsmith]

Qualified genius a national treasure we made MP3 of your songs we play them on our low power FM radio station reaching 100,000 people. Don't let them destroy your youth and your talent.

[@chronovii2428]

this guy's a goddamn genius

[@sg-go5li]

Jesse is a fuckin clean guitarist Folk might be 3 chords predominantly. By that fingerpick and sing timing is next level

[@keyanuka]

That double bump on the E string is classic

[@TeeKing]

The Greats...artists, musicians, poets, philosophers...they've made room for Jesse in their circle.

[@Bertmn]

Every song has such truth, and you're a genius love your music

[@Joker6.0]

Great work, never stop doing what you do. People might come & go but talent like this needs to be shown & there will always be someone else looking for what you've got to share.

[@TeresaBernierBernier]

John Steinbeck - Grapes of Wrath - Classic - weaves the Great Depression into his lyrics- genius. Dudes deep!

[@d.mikulka1662]

Your songs are like a good book. Heart rendering, raw true emotion, sympathy rolling over in bed with sarcasm and ice edged ass kicking social commentary. So talented. Thank you. Please post where we can buy your songs.

[@sirthog1091]

Fun fact! The Grapes of Wrath is a book!

[@Brycelundahl]

Heard a many a songs but never has one touched me this much

[@rustyshackleford7584]

Every single song Jesse writes manages to squeeze a few or more tears out of my head.

[@JohnLittle-i6o]

A li'l Big Star's Thirteen in the vocal melody during "generic human beee-eeeh-ee-ings"... "Maybe Friday I can... get tickets for the dance..."

[@ZeeFritoBandito]

Wilco!?

[@JohnLittle-i6o]

@@ZeeFritoBandito I believe they covered it. Them, Elliott Smith, Beck, and everybody else. It's one of the greatest songs ever put to tape, so that makes sense.

[@thomaskrawford7363]

This guy has made it through hell! Dude has got an awesome story we all need to hear and in time come to know and believe

[@amycurrier8320]

I genuinely don’t understand how you have so many amazing lyrics just swirling around in your head. You’re amazing man, hope to see you in DC!!

[@nyscirre401]

man, i think this is my favorite. can't stop listening. the raw feeling of the lyrics and beauty of the melody!

[@lucasmucas6876]

I definitely agree with you on this one

[@DigitalLibrarian]

He's reading from the book. Thanks for doing this stuff, Jessie. Harmony heals.

[@skinny2128]

People want to compare him to the next this or that, I think Jesse is the next great thing just by being Jesse, rarely ever find a song that I don't like.

[@elaineknape2634]

He’s a perfectly unique Jesse Welles! Beats the banal music coming out of big production studios.

[@mandayork4333]

heard united health of course but the rest of your music also stabs me in the heart in a good way, hard to explain

[@Crowfeather-v5o]

The more i listen the more i hear when i play this song on mandolin it 😊 Welles up a tear ...❤ Gnawing on your mind every building you walk into...😢🎉😮

[@daboiderinhoDerekDamico]

"like the gaping wound inside you" is a great line.... keep going young man.

[@joeyj6808]

How can a guy be this prolific, AND this deep AND this talented??? Bravo Jesse!

[@finnbadders]

Never clicked on a notification quicker Another awesome song Jesse!!!

[@Tikikomo]

One of the best songwriters of my generation:D

[@sammi01010]

i keep coming back to this one

[@philiplavere]

Whatever the music industry failed him at, he is finding on the web. Self made is the best made!

[@terirobinson3616]

I appreciate how much Jesse's great songs and music are bringing people together. ❤

[@waywrdsun]

Tapping straight into the soul of humanity. Love this, Mr. Welles.

[@richardmurray1406]

This dude dropping songs for every occasion 😊

[@IbHustln]

hoping he does one for my birthday!

[@420zackmac420]

Jesse, I’m sorry your other bands and projects didn’t work out the way you may have hoped. However, you have so many people who are so incredibly thankful to have this kind of folksy, speaking truth to power music back! You’re following may seem small now but trust me brother, have faith and keep pumping them tunes out. Each one a banger I must admit! We love you and your music brother. God bless you!

[@ReachTea]

The man has sold out everywhere, he's good

[@holdonnow7035]

Another song that suddenly and unexpectedly reached right into my soul and made me cry. Damn Jesse, awesome. Love it.

[@Clinttara]

YOU ARE A SWEET BEAUTIFUL HUMAN BEING THAT is inspiring me to be a better human being and to write some songs ~ Mr Welles THANK YOU for sharing your music ~ thank you for being a real human ~ thank you for sharing your gift with me and my family

[@jimanthimum]

twiddling my thumbs until this guy becomes more famous than paul simon or bob dylan

[@adamsmith307]

Don't know if you noticed, but we don't live in that world anymore.

[@domwastestimehere]

Is he slowly emerging from the forest!!!?

[@randall1959]

Personally I think he's descended from somewhere to live among us.

[@BlueRidgeAudio3]

sun's out guns out? nah... sky's out thighs out

[@2510katjo]

Great song, great songwriter......well done Jesse.

[@Zeph_42]

I'm so glad I found your channel! Your songs are so honest and speak so deeply. Thank you for sharing your music and your voice, I can't wait to see where things go from here

[@uratrick]

Singer and song writer is such a unique talent and so dang rare. Arkansas has a favorite son..... Jesse Welles . Bring us home Jesse Welles and tell the American story like only you can do.

[@aniteter6863]

I can't wait to see you at FarmAid this year!☮️

[@aaronbedell3753]

Where the fuck did you come from!?! Whatever your flow is, whatever it is you got working for you, please. . .please. . .keep doing it, cause holy shit man. . .just found you an hour ago. . .and I'm floored. . . Take care of yourself and keep going.

[@TomRehm-j9k]

some brand name hate is gonna have a debate tomorrow, you know what brand I'm talkin about. Thanks again Jesse. I will listen to every bit of work you put out there. The world is better when you sing..

[@jamesraymondsmith]

yes, sir incompetent hate is even worse than regular hate. The woman from California is not your savior lol

[@rileyduncan7384]

Another great piece of music!

[@davidappelbaum5482]

Absolutely beautiful song. Put tears in my eyes.

[@redwheelbarrow9729]

Never fails to keep the tunes coming. Attention to detail is astounding.

[@haleyhowell7889]

My dad died at the beginning of this august, and... yeah. We did have some stuff to sort out. He was a drug addict who lived under bridges or in jails. Nothing any of his family did or said would change that. He didn't even make it to 50. The worst part of that is, his death was a hit and run. It wasn't even him being stupid this time, it was other people being careless and cruel. The last message I sent him before his usual long gap of no communication was telling him to check my FB page for big news. It was never seen. He never knew he had a grandson as far as I know.

[@brattybao]

As a complete stranger with three boys this made me just sob. I'm so sorry

[@loseyourlife4042]

Well my dad passed right after my son was born, he never got to meet him either, life is full of similarities, just the people are different! Sorry for your situation but you’re not alone man!

[@Nomad_SwitchTa2]

I used to be homeless. Chances are he knew...he just didn't know what to say. Life is hard on that side of the tracks when it comes to showing emotions.

[@Rick-wm6zm]

Strangely similar situation with my dad. I found out my wife was pregnant the day my dad died getting hit by a car crossing a highway from where he was camped. Probably going to get a beer with whatever change he had accumulated that day. I hadnt spoken with him in months and was planning to go see him to give him the news in hopes it would change his course. It probably wouldnt have but ill never know. Sorry for your loss.

[@haleyhowell7889]

@Rick-wm6zm my consolation is that my dad likely knows now. Someone said recently (or maybe I read it-- the mom brain is real!) that when you pass, everything about your life makes sense and you get to understand what it all meant. I imagine he got to see my boy, at least for a moment. I hope you and your little family are well!

[@67kingdedede]

"brand-name hate in generic human beings" Damn, nice

[@foxysolerider]

"i’ve seen some brand name hate in some generic human beings people say they wanna change but they don’t know what they mean" love this line

[@brianchulito]

How the hell does he do it??? Incredible talent and wisdom. Has any other songwriter been this prolific ?

[@kellyclark7517]

NO!

[@sammi01010]

you can never know a loss like the gaping wound inside you gnawing at your mind every building you walk into

[@violetdwoinen]

I just keep coming back to this song.

[@latishajaubert5600]

Love the new scenery,,,

[@richmerowitz5610]

Great poetry.

[@mojostickyfingers]

This one hit me different.. thanks Jesse

[@lostvisitor]

What a great talent and skill That has not existed in the industry for years. I hope you go far and get rich.

[@Ring13Dad]

I hope he is at peace and happy

[@kyle8442]

Another.great song. That short vocal motif borrowed from Big Star's "Thirteen". Jesse's a real one.

[@christivaughn1245]

That guitar has such a deep, almost spiritual sound.

[@lil_trout7089]

sometimes I can't help but cry when I hear one of Jesse's songs. I just gotta keep moving on.

[@Anonymous-km5pj]

Compulsory reading in school that book once and now if you ask me about applying squeeze, I'd answer no. Wait it out, it's always been you vs you anyways. God bless.

[@cascade5682]

This song brings back memories of no longer feeling hungry as that sensation was replaced with emptiness moving through my veins.

[@TwiPrime]

If you ever write a "bad" one, I'd like to hear that too.

[@ShinningDarkness]

I don't know why I want to help you sing the happiest thing you've ever heard.

[@LilMxKid912]

“If I press the grapes of wrath, is the juice even worth the squeeze”

[@bb-fe9ur]

This guy is wells spring of music. Quite poetic

[@randywatchingbush]

Damn Jesse.. Keep doin what ya doin son.. You might just be what so many need to Hear of a sobering voice of reason amid all this B$ we call reality. much Love

[@dcalihou1998]

I wish I could call you friend. We’ve never met but you make some sad songs with happy music and it’s magnetic to me.

[@ButchBae]

I can't believe I have been passing this song for the past two months, this is an absolute jem!

[@Crowfeather-v5o]

He can stretch a note in a vowel all the way to Fayetteville and back .😊

[@freedomrichter]

Jesse's coming out of the forest!

[@Martselina]

Thank you Jesse for yet another masterpiece. 🙏

[@michaelbartlett6864]

Keep writing and striking while the fire is HOT, and don't let money and success pull you down!

[@MamaGator]

I’m in the middle of reading all the books that have been banned before in America. A lot of them never made it to my classrooms. Reading Grapes of Wrath in 2024 goes hard, would recommend. It’s nice to take a break from reading and hear the echoes of humanity when I hop online & see what music Jesse has shared

[@stuartkelley6564]

Stoked for DC's show in November. Keep pumping them out!! Such great music, so prolific.

[@drrleland]

Everyone needs to hear this!! Damn that is amazing….

[@antoniovillanueva308]

Painfully good.

[@TeriOsborn]

another kickass tune destined to be a classic!!