Strange Fruit
Beth Hart Feat. Joe Bonamassa Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Southern trees bear strange fruit
Blood on the leaves
Blood at the root
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees
Pastoral scene of the gallant south
The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth
The scent of magnolia sweet and fresh
Then the sudden smell of burning flesh
Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck
For the rain to gather
For the wind to suck
For the sun to rot




For the tree to drop
Here is a strange and bitter crop

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa's song "Strange Fruit" are a vivid description of the horrific practice of lynching that was prevalent in the southern states of America for many years. The "strange fruit" that the southern trees bear is not a fruit at all, but rather the bodies of black people who have been lynched. The blood that stains the leaves and the root is a stark reminder of the violence and brutality that was inflicted upon African Americans in the past.


The imagery in the song is haunting, as the bodies of the victims are described as "swinging in the southern breeze," and the scent of magnolia is juxtaposed with the "sudden smell of burning flesh." The lyrics also allude to the fact that the victims were often tortured and disfigured before they were killed, as evidenced by the "bulging eyes and twisted mouth."


The song is a powerful and poignant tribute to the victims of lynching, and serves as a reminder of the dark history of racism and violence in America. It also highlights the ongoing struggle for racial equality and justice, and draws attention to the need for continued efforts to eliminate racism and discrimination in all its forms.


Line by Line Meaning

Southern trees bear strange fruit
The trees in the South bear a peculiar fruit.


Blood on the leaves
The leaves are stained with blood.


Blood at the root
The roots are soaked with blood.


Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze
Black bodies are hanging from the trees and swaying in the wind.


Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees
The strange fruit is hanging from the poplar trees.


Pastoral scene of the gallant south
This beautiful scene is in the south of the country.


The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth
The dead bodies have distorted features and bloated eyes.


The scent of magnolia sweet and fresh
There is a sweet and fresh scent of magnolia flowers in the air.


Then the sudden smell of burning flesh
The smell of burning flesh suddenly comes.


Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck
This fruit is for the crows to eat.


For the rain to gather
The rain will collect this fruit.


For the wind to suck
The wind will suck this fruit.


For the sun to rot
The sun will cause this fruit to rot.


For the tree to drop
Eventually, this fruit will drop from the tree.


Here is a strange and bitter crop
This is a peculiar and unpleasant harvest.




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@DMEB

Oh my.
Its like billy meets floyd.

This is one of the best versions of the song ive ever heard.

Such scary poignant lyrics that perfectly mix with this lush and sweeping sound here.

Hats off to mr Kevin Shirley who is a master of a producer.

JOE AND BETH.
A TRUE MUSICAL MATCH.



@kanduterio1

Strange Fruit (Lyrics):

Southern trees bear a strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
Black bodies swingin' in the Southern breeze
Strange fruit hangin' from the poplar trees

Pastoral scene of the gallant South
The bulgin' eyes and the twisted mouth
Scent of magnolias sweet and fresh
Then the sudden smell of burnin' flesh

Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck
For the rain to gather
For the wind to suck
For the sun to rot
For the tree to drop
Here is a strange and bitter crop



All comments from YouTube:

@nordna

I've known of Beth Hart since the mid to late 80s when she was a contestant on Star Search... this is the most subdued I've ever heard her. As a black man, I AM IN LOVE WITH HER. Her voice here is chilling, haunting, captivating, mesmerizing.... wickedly exceptional delivery. PERFECT

@TheDaydreammaster

I never could have said it better my friend.

@elishaedison3807

i guess im randomly asking but does anybody know a method to log back into an Instagram account??
I stupidly forgot the password. I appreciate any assistance you can offer me!

@remingtonzechariah6687

@Elisha Edison instablaster =)

@Ripleys_mom

She does it justice. Billie Holiday was a brave woman to record this in the social climate she was trapped in.

@gusgone4527

Regardless of colour she floats my boat too. Working with Joe bring something else out her and it's magical. Makes the hairs on my back stand up and gives me shivers.

7 More Replies...

@user-no4ts7xi9i

Великие.... Больше сказать нечего..

@augustalaurentbiehly3277

When one thinks that no one can come close to Billie's and Nina's versions.... here comes Beth Hart! There are two modern female singers that move me to my core... Eva Cassidy and Beth Hart. Pain never sounded better.... the lyrics are extrordinarily beautiful, tragic, touching, moving... gorgeous arrangement too!

@kurtmadison9517

Amen

@user-bu1kc1dv4h

Да!И меня тоже.
Ева-и Бет👍
Еще Анджелина Джордан.

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