Strange Fruit

by Billie Holiday

From the album: Lady Day

Track 5 of 12 on Lady Day (1955).

Duration: 3:02

Lady Day cover art

Lyrics for Strange Fruit

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

Listen On

More from Lady Day

  1. Lady Sings The Blues
  2. Trav'lin Light
  3. I Must Have That Man!
  4. Some Other Spring
  5. Strange Fruit
  6. No Good Man
  7. God Bless The Child
  8. Good Morning Heartache
  9. Love Me Or Leave Me
  10. Too Marvelous For Words
  11. Willow Weep For Me
  12. I Thought About You