In this haunting and evocative composition, Billie Holiday delivers a powerful commentary on the horrors of racial violence in America. The song paints a grim picture of lynching in the Southern United States, where African American bodies are metaphorically depicted as "strange fruit" hanging from trees. The imagery of "blood on the leaves" and "black bodies swinging" starkly confronts listeners with the brutal reality of these atrocities. Contrasting pastoral scenes with grotesque details like "bulging eyes" and "burning flesh," Holiday underscores the deep-seated contradictions within a society that prides itself on civility while perpetuating barbaric acts. The final verse, describing how nature reclaims the lifeless remains, serves as a poignant reminder of both the victims' humanity and the enduring impact of such violence. This song remains a chilling testament to America's historical and ongoing struggles with racial injustice.
