The Grapes of Wrath: an original tune … lyrics: Steinbeck/hermiston

[@Bystander929]

Gorgeous, perfect in every way, the haunting harp is the icing on the cake.

[@marcosnepo]

Hello dear Michael, thanks for sharing. Have a great week. Best wishes, Marcos

[@farinevang]

My God, what a book! The grapes of wrath! It was one of my American Literature Books! I was a second-year student at the University in Thessaloniki..1968!! And I was 20 years old! I loved it so much. Our teacher was perfect. What an interesting explanation and analysis of the meaning of the book! All the themes sounded so strange to us! We felt sorry about people's awful adventures!! Being a teacher of English literature for 50 years..... I taught many good books to my students. But now that I am retired, I am still teaching ( I love it so much) to a special group of ladies. It's a volunteer lesson for my lovely friends. We use Steinbeck"s book and simultaneously we listen to this great song!! What a song! What a special song performance by Michael Hermiston. OUR CONGRATULATIONS! It's really a musical masterpiece!! And unfortunately it"s so current nowadays! So many .... thousands of refugees, immigrants, unemployed, starving people!!

[@michaelhermiston]

wow!!! what great epistle, i agree, such timely and needed book...such an imbalance in wealth and power these days... such widespread indifference toward the many by those in power, such a lack of respect for truth and knowledge by those with selfish agendas...such a systemic lack of compassion!!! thank you so much for realising the genuine heart behind my desire to collaborate with Steinbeck

[@holybrook]

Love this Michael. Bravo!

[@JanSchnell]

Hello michael. Your music is magic. Always finding special stories to tell. For me this is true Art. And your a master of it. Have a great weekend.

[@michaelhermiston]

+Jan Schnell thanks so much

[@russbuss415]

Great production Michael. The harp really sells the tone of the song.

[@HarrisonKD]

Well edited music video, the performance moving in and out with scenes from that old Henry Fonda movie,and the lyrics printed as it goes. I like the harmonica accompaniment. I travelled thru the Salinas Valley in the 90's and visited Steinbeck's old home and neighborhood, he captured a certain time and place in his writing, with timeless themes and unforgettable characters like the preacher Casey.

[@1952banjo]

Just wonderful ! enjoyed so much Michael !!

[@michaelhermiston]

+Virginia McJunkin thanks… hope to catch up soon Ginny

[@CrawfishParish]

WoW what a Original. Love the Harmonica..

[@michaelhermiston]

+CrawfishParish harmonica has that 'i'm hurting feel eh' thanks Michael

[@farinevang]

Many many thanks by myself and my Garden of Friendship!! = All my lovely students-friends! We send you our bright sun and the clear atmosphere of the deep blue Greek sky!

[@seanbon74]

Man this one really pulls at ya.SWEET HARP!..LOVE IT!!

[@bamsdram]

A favorite novel of mine and many Michael, where you begin and Steinbeck ends is seamless, now that is something my friend.... lovely tender song.....

[@michaelhermiston]

+Jim Horne so kind Sir Jim.. yes, such a rich book i am bowled over at the stuff i missed when i read it 30 years ago…. a truly poetic book so full of humanity

[@manriq47]

Had to come back to this one for another listen. “We been whippin’ the hell outta of ourselves for nothing with nothing to show” - ain’t it the truth?! Fifty years ago this country was going through convulsions. Get the feeling there’s a whole lot of shaking starting again in the wings. Hope it all ends with peaceful positive change. Can’t ever stop working for peace and justice. It’s too fragile. ~ Mark

[@amandaskaraoke]

Top notch stuff as always big thumbs up

[@kidderminsterbro]

hi michael the unwritten words of the blues harp says it all and all is understood. peace, rich

[@michaelhermiston]

+kidderminsterbro it does have that pure heart sound eh… really a perfect instrument.. thanks Rich

[@johnleonamnoiz9931]

Outstanding !!

[@eatonjohnrobert]

This is some of your finest work ever Michael. Something about this tune gives me such a forlorn yet sweet feeling.

[@michaelhermiston]

+eatonjohnrobert so kind John, much thanks… it went through a few musical versions, but settled with the basics… so often does that happen… i'll use the working melody and guitar picking for some other song or an instrumental...i was on the verge of offering the lyrics to one of you guys to come up with a melody… all the best to you

[@MikeUpie]

A well done, tasteful homage to my favorite writer and favorite novel. Thanks for doing this work.

[@michaelhermiston]

it is a fantastic piece of literature, and to think it gets banned!!! thanks for your kind words...it's probably time i read it again!! 🍇😠 all the best

[@SharamGill]

Sweet weary sound in this wonderful song, Michael. Always a treat knowing you've uploaded a song.

[@michaelhermiston]

+Sharam Gill thanks so much… love your latest cover very much

[@maxwashingtonmusic7000]

Beautiful....I watched it with my brother, Billy...he enjoyed it as much as I did....wonderful music, and a great shot of Fonda......thanks for sharing this :))

[@michaelhermiston]

+max washington songs sweet to think of you watching it with your brother… hope to catch up soon Todd.. best to you

[@outlawdasilva]

Beautiful song and wonderful lyrics. Great piece of art fellas. Bruno

[@michaelhermiston]

+Bruno Outlaw thanks a ton…hope you are well

[@Nickie_Hoang_Kim_Thai_Hanh]

Apart from the stories of migrants struggles, epic poignant lines by Steinbeck that you put here are truly master's. Great picks by Michael. Really thanks.

[@Bluematter1969]

Well done Michael. Thanks.

[@michaelhermiston]

+Bluematter1969 thank you…. i'll catch up soon… all the best

[@marcnerenberg1]

This is simply stunning, Michael! Thanks for sending me the link!

[@michaelhermiston]

thanks for checking it out...i'm looking forward to checking out more of your work...it's refreshing to find another songwriter who marvels at literary complexities

[@elisalouise2678]

What a great idea that this moving song from the "Grapes of Wrath", Michael (my favorite J.Steinbeck) !!! The guitar and harmonica perfectly accompany the lyrics, and images of the magnificent film by John Ford. Yes, it is a timeless and still relevant work, alas, even if people flee for other reasons and in other latitudes....Felicitations!

[@michaelhermiston]

+elisa louise thanks so much.. i completely agree, so much soul and heart in Steinbeck's work certainly catches the depths of the human condition and societal injustice… i do love literary inspiration for songs, all the best to you

[@tarafly67]

J'adore ta voix et cette mélancolie qui me berce l'âme. Vos deux voix s'accordent à merveille 💙💙💙

[@michaelhermiston]

thanks so much... la chanson est tellement mélancolique, comme tu dis, que je préfère ma version humoristique, merci beaucoup 🤣 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJfMnWCOjch4ipo

[@FedericoBorluzzi]

Wow, great video and original song. I love your harmonica on this and it's good to see how you managed to write an original song based on the Steinbeck's novel, which was an inspiration for Bruce Springsteen, I think!

[@babs4TLove]

Hi Michael. I've been waiting for this one...I knew it would be wonderful. Steinbeck would be happy for sure. Lovely and poignant. Love,

[@michaelhermiston]

+babs4TLove so kind …. have a sweet weekend Babs

[@cinderellalifestyle]

lovely to hear you again, Michael. So glad you found the time!! and harp is perfect in this gem. I don't know the Grapes have yet left us...in the big bubble burst here in California, I saw many people on the move, loads of peoples lives rolling down the road looking for new beginnings... Lovely original inspired work. Cheers, and Bravo!

[@michaelhermiston]

+cinderellalifestyle gracias et merci m'dear

[@Herfortz]

This is very lovely and soothing bro .... I love it .... Wonderful singing and instrumentation ... Love that harmonica.

[@michaelhermiston]

+Herfortz thanks a ton… my first attempt at harmonica… all four notes ha ha ha.. but here it is about the sound only… thanks for kind comment… i think adult with Danai is in order! just a suggestion… best to you Stephen

[@Deisinoful]

The photos of the great depression always struck me for the difference they bore with the idealized image of the US spread by Hollywood, then and later until our days. I don't mean just the obviouss gap between reality and self-celebration, but the reality itself in those pics, even in the immiseration, appears so beautiful... and Steinbeck is the Van Gogh of the XX century. To co-author the lyrics with John Steinbeck is a landmark in your career. Starvation under the orange trees is a line he would have subscribed. Very creative approach to the novel. Brilliant, Michael.

[@michaelhermiston]

+Deisinoful thanks Gianluca… i considered going through real depression photographic images, but got lazy… also..the book is a novel, a fiction so i thought another film fiction for images would be ok. you song "Old Dog" is next in my recording plans.. if you'd like some images of your own dogs included just send them… all the best

[@Zsolto66]

What a great work of art you have come up with again, Michael. A lovely ending for a long day, some food for thought before falling asleep. Thank you! Zs

[@michaelhermiston]

+Zsolto66 lovely to imagine you catching this Zs… hope you are revelling in your life… have great wknd!

[@CristinaS]

Lovely song and performance, Michael! I read this book in my youth, I loved Steimbeck at that time and I I devoured many of his beautiful novels :-) Cheers, Cristina

[@michaelhermiston]

+Cristina S they are to be devoured for sure… such beautiful writing and a depth of thought… thanks so much

[@figulus1]

Love it,a smorgasbord of riches..:))

[@michaelhermiston]

+Colin Alexander a vastly beautiful novel.. thanks Sir Colin

[@rhymesauce]

Brilliant, Michael!

[@michaelhermiston]

+rhymesauce big smile to ya, thanks Kiel

[@CursiMusic]

beautiful Michael

[@michaelhermiston]

+Cursi peace and thanks Al… love your singing on the collab with Mano

[@salmonfishandships]

yeah this is a poignant novel that I read a few years ago , beautiful tribute with harmonica !

[@michaelhermiston]

+Philippe Salmon music thanks Phil …my first foray into harmonica playing… the sound is so distinctive only a few notes are needed eh?

[@manriq47]

Second favorite movie (behind Casablanca) from favorite book of all time. Love the film clips you used. They fit perfectly with your song. Cheers to all in that wonderful land in which you live. ~ Mark

[@michaelhermiston]

+manriq47 thanks Mark, many lessons in that book… learned and then forgotten by America… so much heart! hope to get caught up with our collabs and your tunes soon

[@themannydanny]

You really incorporated the lines from the book so well in your song, Michael! You have enough wonderful, meaningful songs that you could do a two hour concert, on stage, with no sweat, and they would ALL be mind blowing to the enraptured audience! Even the ones who weren't high on recreational drugs! ha ha

[@michaelhermiston]

+Danny Maness hi Danny, thanks so much… of course artist that you are, you tend to exaggerate…but your kind words are appreciated… i've been going into my partner's mom's seniors home everyday and singing to the the crowd.. while i wish i had a rock singers voice, in this circumstance my mellow crooner voice is preferred… thanks again pal

[@Toracube]

Great work. A beautiful song and vid.

[@michaelhermiston]

+Toracube thanks so much… all the best to you Andy

[@ClassicalJams]

Michael, it's so great to see you recording again!! Oh my....I love Steinbeck and the Grapes of Wrath was one of the best novels of our time! Your lyrics and your music recall the plight of those driven from the place they called home with great emotion. Just beautiful and presented in a most nostalgic and sensitive way! You sing this very passionately and I love the dose of harmonica, too! Bravo Michael! ~Jackie

[@michaelhermiston]

+Classical Jams - Passionate Piano thanks Jackie… still swamped but happy i can squeeze in some chunks of time here and there to do some recording… yes, such a powerful book… glad to have re-read it.. all the best my friend

[@ClassicalJams]

***** Glad you squeezed this in also! Of course, our families always come first. You bring a good point....it would be interesting to read this book again all these years later.....would certainly be seen from a different perspective! Have a great weekend! ~Jackie

[@leobluesy]

Sounding good with an interesting video too.... well played. Nice to see some more from you..best regards..Leo

[@michaelhermiston]

+Leo Bluesy thanks Leo, things still in such flux here… 'twas interesting working on this in short 20 minute chunks of free time… so looking forward to May and having some quiet time to catch up… take care Leo

[@onewomanandsomesongs]

Such a beautiful and soulful original, Michael. Love the added harp. Your lyrics surely capture the plight of farmers during the Depression and the Dust Bowl years. Love "The Grapes of Wrath," both the book and the movie with Henry Fonda. :) Janet

[@michaelhermiston]

+OneWomanAndSomeSongs incredibly hard times they were… for so many… thanks Janet, great to have bit of time to record.. looking forward to catching up in the next couple of weeks… hope all is well for you.

[@Johnnydoxx]

Good work in all aspects!

[@DavidSilk1956]

I was just enjoying looking at some of your uploads again Michael, and I came across this that I think I must’ve missed till now. I love TGOW book (and movie) and I think it’s really clever how you’ve compiled this great song. Well done mate! Regards, Dave

[@michaelhermiston]

hey thanks David.... it truly is a great book...and film... an interest in social justice and calling out inequities and exploitation by the rich runs through all our history and societies... the Bruce Springsteen tune Tom Joad is another example ...all the best

[@Foto-PoesieUndMusik]

So wunderschön lieber Michael mein Freund, ein Meisterwerk von Dir, das berührt. Danke so viel... Liebe Grüsse, Hans-Peter

[@michaelhermiston]

+Hans-Peter Zürcher thank you so much Peter, your words are always so kind… i hope to have some time soon to catch up on all the great works my friends have been posting… all best wishes to you..

[@Foto-PoesieUndMusik]

You're welcome, and thank you so much my dear friend Michael ... Hug and dear greetings, Hans-Peter

[@DearbornJohn]

Enjoyed this original composition Michael which to me depicts an era an era far from the technologies of today. Excellent Production!

[@michaelhermiston]

+DearbornJohn feelings and connections seemed closer then… but maybe that is a sort of nostalgia for an era before i was born…thanks for the kind words

[@rhopen]

Wonderful song Michael. It think it is one of your best. The lyrics are so moving and the lonesome harmonic adds greatly to the effect. Woody, Pete and Bob would approve for certain. -Ron

[@michaelhermiston]

most the the lyrics, are actual phrases from the Steinbeck tome.. such a powerful story, such a hard and cruel time... thanks Ron

[@rhopen]

Yes I agree, and it is always the hard and cruel times that tend to spawn the masterpieces, or so it seems to me. The 60s and early 70s were comparable, albeit in a different way. I feel it in the air these days now, fortunately/unfortunately :o):(o -Ron

[@dankoch2010]

I read this book years ago. You're a great songwriter and musician.

[@michaelhermiston]

+dankoch2010 thanks so much Dan, you're very kind

[@TheNorma]

Terrific song!

[@michaelhermiston]

+Norma Jean Clark (Short Film Channel) thanks … hope you are well

[@TheNorma]

***** Doing great! Hope you're well too!

[@elisalouise2678]

I forgot you made that fabulous song, Michael !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And that you play the harmonica, in addition !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Very veru inspired lyrics too !!!!!!! I don't know why I said I loved the movie at the time of my 1st comment .... because I don't like at all the fact that the movie doesn't respect the book at the end !!! What a silly ending !!! (added your link in the info box of my cover, of course !)

[@michaelhermiston]

i can't even remember the different ending from the movie, and yes, it is SUCH a fantastic book, might be time for me to to reread it again....thanks ..really love your Springsteen cover

[@carryingatorch]

Thanks for this great tune, Michael. It's quite a long time ago that I read it. It's called "Früchte des Zorns" in German ... I'm afraid the grapes of wrath are still ripening anywhere.

[@michaelhermiston]

+carryingatorch so true… feels like a timeless struggle… thanks Jörg

[@rebeccatompkins]

Brilliant

[@michaelhermiston]

+mumsthewitch thanks Bec, really appreciated

[@rebeccatompkins]

***** my pleasure

[@TrevorRoper.]

greats song and the video creating a great atmospheric feel , haven't read the book that has inspired you , but enjoyed this song none the less ,Trevor ;-)

[@michaelhermiston]

+Sizzletube thanks so much… i highly recommend the book, truly an American classic…and so timely

[@michaelhermiston]

+Sizzletube thanks so much… i highly recommend the book, truly an American classic…and so timely

[@benaaronmusic]

Great song, Michael I was expecting some sort of Woody Guthrie music, but this is close enough. Very nice.

[@michaelhermiston]

+Ben Aaron thanks, i found out about and listened to Woody Guthrie's "Tom Joad" after i had written this.. might not have written this if i had known about it..

[@benaaronmusic]

I can't help but think of Woody Guthrie when I think of dust bowls and The Grapes of Wrath.

[@bearron]

I love grapes.

[@michaelhermiston]

+BearRon sweet and/or sour? hope you are good Rob

[@CutterJ]

...OK, Michael...great song, but when did you learn the mouth harp.... Cutter

[@michaelhermiston]

+Cutter J thanks Cutter… i knew the tune needed some harp, but i've been so out of the loop, i didn't want to bug any of the great harp players around ..so i just blew in a few notes.. minimalist harp … i don't really play it actually…. hope to catch up with your posts soon..best to you

[@CutterJ]

+michael hermiston ...still a super job for a novice...don't forget the song I sent you... thanks, Cutter

[@michaelhermiston]

+Cutter J you're gonna have to continue to be patient Cutter, my occasional post belies the reality of my busyness, the flux in my life has been exhausting and time consuming… i'll get to it though

[@CutterJ]

+michael hermiston ...sorry if you mistook my gentle reminder as anything other than that...when you mentioned that you were gonna try to catch up on some of my post, without mentioning the song, I thought maybe it had slipped your mind in your time of being so strapped....look at us airing all of this out on your beautiful song...looks like you're gonna have to utilize the delete button on some of this chatter after you read it.:) ..take care, my friend.... Cutter

[@undeadtrev]

nice