One of the first political songs ever written. It's been called a declaration of war. The beginning of the Civil Rights movement. One of the ten songs that changed the world.
One of my most favorite, and most telling and dark songs with a story to tell. Billie FELT that song. It's one of the most moving songs ever wrote and performed you ask me.
Southern trees bear a strange fruit 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 magnolias, 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
Such a horrible history. When we will ever learn?
ReplyDeleteI hate to say it, but probably never.
DeleteArtist as activist, from Picasso and Guernica to Billie Holiday and Strange Fruit. Painting to song, pure and true art reveals profound truths.
ReplyDelete-Rj
Music has the power ...
DeleteI love this song.
ReplyDeleteI love how she sings it.
I loathe the meaning of it.
Billie was persecuted for her activism. Bastards.
XOXO
The first protest song and Billie brought it.
Deletexoxo
This is such an incredible song. I should be reminded to listen to it more often. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI listen to it often, but then I listen to Billie quite regularly! She's a favorite of mine.
DeleteStrange Fruit has a very interesting origin story. Worth your time to research.
ReplyDeleteI have a book about the song and songwriter and Billie.
DeleteThis is all new information for me. What a voice Billie Holliday had.
ReplyDeleteShe is one of my favorite singers; she had a way with the lyrics and emotion of a song./
DeleteOne of my most favorite, and most telling and dark songs with a story to tell. Billie FELT that song. It's one of the most moving songs ever wrote and performed you ask me.
ReplyDeleteShe did feel that song, and she made her audiences feel it, too.
DeleteIt's unbelievable what man will do to fellow man.
ReplyDeleteIgnorance and violence are a deadly mix.
DeleteThe songwriter, Abel Meeropol and his wife Anne adopted the two sons of The Rosenbergs and they took the surname "Meeropol".
ReplyDeleteI have a book about the song and it tells that story as well.
DeleteI couldn't understand her words, so I stopped listening. I'm sure it's a great song.
ReplyDeleteSouthern trees bear a strange fruit
DeleteBlood 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 magnolias, 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