Historically significant songs from long ago

[janetlee]

"Strange Fruit" by Billie Holiday. Probably the most chilling song about racism and lynchings ever made.

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 BULGING EYES AND THE TWISTED MOUTH

SCENT OF MAGNOLIA

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

You could probably get a few papers out of this song. I believe she recorded it in 1939. It was written by a Jewish teacher in 1924 in response to lynchings in the South. Anyway, take a look at this one.

I was going to say this song as well! It was the first one to pop into my head! I love it! Billie Holiday did a great job on this song, but you've got to hear Nina Simone's version! Stark,man, really stark...awesome....

JL