Strange Fruit
Billie Holiday & Tony Scott Orchestra Lyrics
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Blood on the leaves and 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
Scent of magnolia, sweet and fresh
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
Billie Holiday's song "Strange Fruit" is a haunting and powerful protest against the brutal lynching of African Americans that occurred throughout the southern United States in the early part of the 20th century. The song opens with the image of "Southern trees bearing a strange fruit," a reference to the twisted bodies of African Americans who were lynched and hanged from trees as part of a deeply ingrained culture of racial violence. The phrase "blood on the leaves and blood at the root" evokes the horrific imagery of the aftermath of these killings, with blood staining the very earth beneath the trees that served as a backdrop for such atrocities.
As the song continues, Holiday describes the grotesque spectacle of "black bodies swinging in the southern breeze," emphasizing the brutal physicality of lynching and its inhumanity. The second verse paints a vivid contrast between the idyllic image of the "pastoral scene of the gallant South" and the profound evil that lurks beneath its surface. The scent of magnolia, a symbol of southern beauty, is juxtaposed with the stench of burning flesh, representing the agony and torment that were inflicted on African American victims of lynching.
The final verse of the song provides a powerful conclusion, with the repeated refrain of "Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck." This image conveys the sense of desolation and loss that pervades the entire song, and the bitter irony that the only "crop" that seems to thrive in the South is one of violence and hatred.
Overall, "Strange Fruit" is a deeply moving and powerful work of art that remains relevant today as a reminder of the terrible legacy of racism and violence in the United States. It is a haunting testament to the courage and resilience of the African American community that endured these atrocities, and an enduring call to justice and equality for all people.
Line by Line Meaning
Southern trees bear a strange fruit
In the South, where the weather is warm enough for fruit to grow, trees grow a peculiar fruit.
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
The fruit is stained with blood, and even the roots below are tainted.
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze
The fruit's most peculiar aspect is that black bodies are hanging from it, exposed to the elements.
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees
The fruit is unusual in that it is hanging from the poplar trees instead of the usual fruits and leaves.
Pastoral scene of the gallant South
The scene is idyllic and picturesque, but within is a dark reality.
The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth
The bodies are disfigured and traumatized, with the eyes bulging and mouths twisted in pain.
Scent of magnolia, sweet and fresh
The sweet aroma of magnolia is in the air, contributing to the illusion of a peaceful setting.
Then the sudden smell of burning flesh
This is countered by the unmistakable smell of human flesh burning, revealing that something horrific has occurred here.
Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck
The hanging bodies are dehumanized, likened to fruit that is worthless to anyone but scavenging beasts.
For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck
The bodies are left to rot, exposed to the elements, with nobody to care for them.
For the sun to rot, for the tree to drop
Even the natural cycles of decay are given free reign as the bodies continue to hang there.
Here is a strange and bitter crop
The overall impact of this spectacle is visceral and unforgettable, a haunting reminder of the racial violence that is inflicted upon black bodies in the South.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Abel Meeropol
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind