Billie Holiday-Strange fruit- HD 

Billie Holiday was threatened by Harry Anslinger, the Head Of the FBI, to stop singing about lynching. She did it anyway and continued to do it no matter what the monster tried to do to ruin her life. Now, Holiday and “Strange Fruit” are still remembered. Anslinger is not.May we all be a badass like Billie one day

Brave Billie Holiday who sang the truth no matter what the cost.

The most haunting song ever recorded. You can feel the pain in Billie's voice. What a brave, strong woman she was.

46 and I heard this song for the first time. I wish it were mandatory listening for all American teens in high school.

As a black person I am a bit ashamed this is my first time hearing this song but let me tell you, I haven't stopped crying yet, from the first note on.

She lost her life because she refused to stop singing this song...RIP QUEEN

My history teacher put this song on and just let it play in silence. Towards the start the class was sort of smirking at Billie's strange singing tone and the oldness of it. Then the 'fruit' part clicked with us. The song ended and the whole class was just dead silent. It was a surreal experience and I'm glad the message got through to us.

I just watched “The United States vs Billie Holiday” and learned about this song and the trouble Holiday got into from singing it. I’m speechless. Never have I ever….We owe a lot to these courageous men and women who gave their lives to promote awareness and change.

One of the deepest, darkest, honest songs ever recorded. Billie is a Goddess and I love her.

I remember hearing Strange Fruit for the first time when I was 12 and was going through my grandfather's old vinyls after he had passed away. He had the original shellac vinyl that was made and released in 1939, and my Mother told me that before meeting my grandmother he had a relationship with a black girl while in high school (he was white), and she gave it to him. He said because of her he cared a lot about the Civil Rights Movement and took part in many large protests in Chicago where he lived, and was present at MLK's 'I Have A Dream' speech. The record is now in a frame on the wall, next to a portrait of him. Edit 1- Thank you all for your kind words, my grandfather is such a special person to me and inspires me to this day. God bless. Edit 2- I know schools were segregated, I don't know exactly how they met, but obviously they weren't in school together. My great grandparents, Jewish immigrants from Europe, owned and operated a candy shop from the early 20s into the late 40s, near Wrigley Field. So they could have met there, who knows. He kept this relationship to himself until way after my grandmother passed, and even then kept it vague.

This song is so moving. The use of the word “fruit” is so masterful in its expression of the commoditization of black people, black bodies, and black souls. Truly a moving experience that made me feel not only like my heart dropped to my stomach but also angry.

Billie Holiday was a Civil Rights Icon!! Never Forgotten💕🙏🏾

This still remains as one of the darkest songs I have ever heard.

The reality of her words are terrifying and haunting. To know human lives has suffered this because of something so simple as their skin color.

We read and listened to this song in my AP US History class in high school and it has always stuck with me. I think it always will. And I'm proud that my school, or at least my teacher, made a point to share it with us. It's an incredibly powerful song, and despite it's disturbing and distressing allusions, I don't think it should be forgotten anytime soon. We need to enshrine these types of songs and what they represent in our history, remaining diligent to never let it be buried for the sake of "comfort" or "letting the past be the past", lest we lose all that we've already fought for and continue to fight for today.

Being the grandchild of black southerners and hearing their stories of how things were back then makes this song's impact deeper

If you read her life story, you will see that she paid a heavy price for singing this song. The FBI basically destroyed her career.

As soon as she says “southern trees bare strange fruit” it just makes my stomach drop I feel like I’m gonna vomit and cry at the same time. The fact this song is called ‘strange fruit’ alone gives off this eerie and dark feel, she’s talking in code and the fact you know what this code is saying makes you feel ashamed because she’s talking about something despicable that happened and we as humans have let it happen.

Strange Fruit was written by Abel Meeropol, a NYC school,teacher, who adopted the 2 sons of Julius and Erthel Rosenberg, executed in 1953 for passing secrets about the atomic bomb to the Soviet Union. Billie paid a heavy price for continuing to sing this amazingly moving song despiite threats. Her performance is perfection.

This song has a certain feeling to it that I'm unsure if I can describe properly. It's absolutely horrifying; the music, the lyrics, the *meaning* behind the lyrics, Billie's voice... It all brings such a sense of unease and horror. But it also somehow manages to be beautiful and powerful, especially once you take into consideration how she was willing to lose her career so as to sing about the atrocities commuted towards black people in USA. I've heard of this woman and the song "Strange Fruit" today and I can already say that I am in awe

For those who need to read along: Southern trees bear 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 fruit for the crows to pluck For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop Here is a strange and bitter crop

Possibly the most haunting song ever recorded

I wrote a paper on this song for my History of Rock and Roll class in college. That assignment really opened my eyes to a lot of things.

As a black person listening to this song makes me feel so eerie and uncomfortable because I could almost picture what happens I the song and it just feel so uncomfy by it

Grandpa had me listen to this when I was eight years old. He said there is three parts of history, what the government allows you to know, what the schools and books say and what really happened. Here in Canada we studied a bit of U.S. history and we covered the race issues. I was suspended for three days for taking this song and explaining it to the class in a project. Apparently we weren't to speak the truth of the lynchings. I am 55 now and still stand by my project. The suspension affected me so much my dad and grandpa went fishing.

Billie Holiday. Nina Simone. Aretha Franklin. These three American ladies awed and haunted me with their songs, their voices, the way they sing. Love them all.

This track changed my life. I spent my youth campaigning against prejudice....then spent the next 60 years learning about humans. Eternal thanks to Billie Holiday, incomparable

For anyone who is interested there is a great book called Chasing the Scream. It's about how the "war on drugs" started but Billie is actually a key component to the story. It goes into her life story and it is a must read. It's tragic but you have to understand how much adversity this lady endured and what she was able to accomplish through it all. It's really astounding.

This is one of the scariest songs of all time.

I’m sitting on the floor in my hallway grieving the loss of an innocent black man and this song was ringing in my ears. I feel empty and hurt and listening to this...how can people still care so little about human life?

It's amazing how she could sing about something utterly appalling and make it beautiful.

This is my first time hearing this song I learn about this song from the book The Cross And The Lynching Tree James Cone Our Children Need To Be Taught The History Of Our People We Are Wonderfully Made By God And Brilliant And To Instill This In Our Children

This song and her life needs to be in the school's curriculum

They told the hospital to stop medication for her and she died. She wouldn't stop singing it and was basically murdered for the truth.

This woman had more courage and talent in her than anyone these days. We need to learn from her example.

She was fearless and was treated so horribly. I love her.

Hopefully people know that this song was initially a Poem but Billie was so struck by it that she took it upon herself to spread it with her status as a singer at that time.

I am glad they have a movie about Billie Holiday's career and singing this song, we need to see the truth about our corrupt Government.

She is the goddess of soul… for her lyrics paint the world with truth passed down with a language we all share Music ❤

Im so grateful for Billie Holliday. She was so brave and courageous and it costed her her life. Thank you Ms. Holliday you were your own force BEFORE the Civil Rights Movement. To sing this message for 20 years and 60 years later its still relevant and prevalent in our culture is just so sad. Thank you Ms. Holliday I truly appreciate your stance to end the lynching of our people.

Who's here in February 2021, smh w/ tears in my eyes...

Blood on the trees .Blood on the roots.This song is so poetic and haunting..You can imagine at that time the shock the smell the actual pain of living in this era.and surviving...

I as a 6th grade student was introduced to Billy Holiday and this piece by my Beatnik teacher back in the 1950s. She opened my eyes and ears to things that were not always mentioned. I, to this day thank her for educating me to the deeper aspects of our American history and the different choices of great music.

Legit gives me chills! Sad TIK ToK brought me here - hadn’t heard this before hearing someone protest out against the viral sample of this song and speak on what it actually meant😩

Banned at the time but now rightfully recognised as a 20th century classic

Born 1941, listened to this on the radio as a child. It never left me. This Voice, this pain. I did not speak a word of english then, but the the pain came through, still does.

Billie Holiday was the definition of a true Artist. She gave her life for her ideals and principles

Never heard of Billie holiday, I came from the breakfast club interview with DR. Cornel West, one of my first times having a song make me want to shed a tear 🕊️ R.I.P to every black man that had to suffer in America

What is truly amazing about Bilie singing this song in her era was that she sang this at most of her concerts. Wikipedia: Holiday first performed the song at Cafe Society in 1939. She said that singing it made her fearful of retaliation but, because its imagery reminded her of her father, she continued to sing the piece, making it a regular part of her live performances.[12] Because of the power of the song, Josephson drew up some rules: Holiday would close with it; the waiters would stop all service in advance; the room would be in darkness except for a spotlight on Holiday's face; and there would be no encore.[9] During the musical introduction, Holiday stood with her eyes closed, as if she were evoking a prayer.

Story Time: My history teacher (I'm in 7th grade) told us he played this song to one of his classes a couple of years ago. One of his students told their mom, which later told the principal. He got in trouble over it. He told us how the parent was yelling and saying all these things about how the students should not be listening to this. My teacher kept asking them, " Did you listen to the song?" They would say that they didn't need to. When they finally did listen to it, they apologized. Now it was my turn to listen to it....I'm glad I did

Her voice alone has so much power. The courage she had to be singing such a song at a time when it was forbidden to speak on lynchpin, makes her amazing. ❤

There are no words to utter when you hear this; only a sobering and deep silence, out of respect for this heavy hearted song. So somber, cynic but out of hurt and not irony. Must never be forgotten so we are reminded to act right in the future, never to fall into that disgraceful hole again as a society

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 magnolia, 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

I had to analyze this song in my American Lit class. Luckily I have a amazing teacher that wants us to read about the genocide of the Tainos and slave narratives. I'm very thankful to have a teacher teach us all aspects of reading/writing, I would have never known how many lynchings and vile humans there were, and some still are. I love this song, but it's very heartbreaking to listen to. I hope everything will get better in America and all over the world, everyone is created equal.

This is the most horrifying song i have ever heard. Sends shivers down my spine.

Bro... that trumpet breaks my fucking heart. Sounds like crying.

I don't know another song with lyrics this intense and soul piercing

Oh, dear Lord, this song and the terrible truth behind it is breaking my heart. So much suffering. My heart is with all of you who are still bearing the hardships and ugliness of racism. You don't deserve to be mistreated. You deserve respect and care and love for who you are -- God's beautiful sons and daughters.

😢😢 I'm 44yrs old and this is my first time ever listening to this song... I've heard of Mrs. Billie Holiday but I've Never Know What Happened To Her Singing Career... 😮😮😮

Her voice tears through the air. Words so powerful. I never heard anything like it.

Growing up I didn’t understand the meaning of this song. Now that I’m an adult the meaning holds such a deeper meaning the sad truth of what our ancestors had to go through I give my deepest respect to them. Happy African American History Day ! ❤️🖤💚✊🏾

God bless my ancestors. 60 plus years and this song is still relevant. I'm sad that I am 44 years old and this is my first time hearing this. I didn't learn this in school during black history month. There's too much black history to try to fit in one month. The shortest month at that. There's no America without black people.😥😥

A very beautifuly sung, somber and blunt song that doesnt waste time or words and gets the message out loud and clear. Its a shame it was ever needed . I admire Billie Holiday for singing the truth .

Wow. The way she sings this is chilling. What a powerful, haunting song. It should never be forgotten.

I’m lost for words! First time hear this song at 42 years of age. Her voice is magical!

This song will never not shake me to my core.

This is one of the scariest, yet most impactful songs I have heard.

Song gave me the creeps. Can only shake my head at this truth. This is heavy.

Before her words come over the airwaves, the trumpets wailing notes tell you all you need to know go the struggle the song details. Truly a haunting piece worth immortalizing.

My god this gives me chills what they did and are still doing to us

As a white woman I’m embarrassed to say I was in my 30s before I heard this masterpiece. I haven’t been the same since. Shame on the places and politicians trying to whitewash American history- it can’t and shouldn’t be erased. This song crushed me the first time I heard it, and I still cry every single time… the truth hits hard.

In my school I am studying International relations and in one subject called USA and Canada: History and Polítics, we had a lecture about the KKK and the Jim Crow Laws and I told the teacher about this song while watching an image of a lynching in the Deep South and I read the lyrics of this song in front of the class (which nobody but me knew about the song) and they were quite shocked specially the teacher You can learn very well from music I am a light skin Mexican and I love African American music, it’s very beautiful!!!

I was on the verge of crying first time i heard this. The way i see it, Even though i'm white, every injustice done to any group that i "don't belong to" is still an injustice done to My people. Race is an artificial construct, Every human being is part of My people, we should all equally be hurt by past and current events.

This music is so beautiful and complements the poetry which eloquently describes the lynching and burning of human beings because they are black. It is heart wrenching. Brings tears to my eyes every time I listen to it but I still listen. It is a masterpiece. Thank you to all the brave musicians and singers of that dangerous time period for putting this out there and performing it right in the faces of your predators.

A Stand up women, keeping it all the way 💯. She is a pioneer in music too☝🏽😎🙏🏼

To me this song belongs in the pantheon of genius. Not a song that you can like and certainly not dislike, however it achieves the distinction of being a song that one can only respect. I just hpoe that we never get to any kind of situation that a song like this should ever have to be written again. God bless all those innocents to whom this song refers.

Thank you Billie Holiday for expressing what you witnessed into such a poetic form of music.

Harrowing, just harrowing .. what a powerful rendition

A true GODDESS who never gets any of the credit. It would be definitely no Sade, and no Diana Krawl (Definitely not!) without this Queen of Jazz!

==========lyrics============= 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 fruit for the crows to pluck, For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck, For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop, Here is a strange and bitter crop.

THE most powerful song about racism in the world.

This song gives me goosebumps, a very tragic reminder of how horrible people can be.

I was introduced to her music when I was 16 .. 1992.I've loved her ever since. I bought everything I could find in the music stores at the time. I read books about her . She's amazing. The last movie they made about her The US verses BH... Was excellent. I love the chick who played Billie and her voice is beautiful. All movies that were made about her were great .

One of the most moving songs, people like her don't get the recognition they deserve for what they done, beautiful and inspiring

Justice for George floyd and all of our fallen queens including her...

Nobody could Paint a Portrait of Misery, despair and Soul-- Wrenching Agony in a Few lyrics like Billie...🥺

This song is so powerful and makes me sad for my ancestors and all their suffering.

Wicked nation than and still wicked nation now, run by wicked leadership. Well said Billie Holiday. Bravo Salute ! ✊🏿✊🏿

I absolutely adored this song for years. you see, english is not my first language and for all this years I never quite listened to lyrics. just the magnificent melody. only today i thought about meaning behind them. and now i finally got it. oh god, my heart broke for everyone who suffered from lynching in south. it’s just... i have no words 🥺

Stirred with emotion. Saw her movie last night. What a courageous woman!! What a voice!!

While I am white, this is really telling about the time she lived in. Ashamed of what my previous generations did, but apt enough to be better. Billie died for a cause, and she stayed consistent. thats more than we can say about alot of people now.

Omg this song brought tears to my eyes! So hauntingly beautiful!

This song scares me every time. Just gives me the willies. It's so purposefully ugly. Your artistic side wants to listen for some beauty in it, but it seems to deny you that with a hint of anger every time. It gets you to give up on hope, it faults you for seeking pleasure, it turns the pass time of leisure into the destruction of naivete, it strips down all the layers to leave just a candid impression so familiar yet too harsh for many of us not to commonly ignore. And it is real. It is hideous. And I can't stop listening to it.

i got chills, and just want to cry for every beautiful indigenous african/african american who suffered the way they did. i hate calling them slaves because they were more than that, slaves were not their identity, maybe to the whites but they deserve to be called by their beautiful race and ethnicity. im indigenous mexican and native, and i would do anything to bring all of our people back who were killed for this country. my heart sinks for the cries and screams that were never heard.

This song is powerful man!

And yet she endures as one of the greats if the 20th century. I can imagine the revulsion she felt singing this, knowing what she was singing about.

Fabulous voice, jazz be Blessed, as well as Miss. Holiday, truly one of a kind, I'll not live to see another, like her

This song is so heartbreaking, as a native American I share the pain of the black community but it hurts that we didn't get to have voices like Billie cause mosth of us were almost completely whipe out by the genocide and rape of our cultures. I hope one day we can both have real equality

I'm french and my english teacher played it during lessons when i was younger..maybe 10 years ago...and that's still deeply upsetting.... Never forget..

As previously mentioned, if a person learned the least about her they would understand the tragic figure she truly is. That, along with the talent that just radiates for every pore of this woman. I mean, her sound itself is so original that’s it’s not matched from what I have seen nearly 100 year later. Her voice and sound is a gateway to getting a small glimpse of what a woman like that professes toward what it was like being her in a time like that. True living poetry!!