Music Video

Billie Holiday - "Strange Fruit" Live 1959 [Reelin' In The Years Archives]
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Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday
Vocals
Tony Scott
Tony Scott
Clarinet
Tony Scott and His Orchestra
Tony Scott and His Orchestra
Orchestra
Charlie Shavers
Charlie Shavers
Trumpet
Paul Quinichette
Paul Quinichette
Saxophone
Wynton Kelly
Wynton Kelly
Piano
Kenny Burrell
Kenny Burrell
Electric Guitar
Aaron Bell
Aaron Bell
Double Bass
Lennie McBrowne
Lennie McBrowne
Drums
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Lewis Allen
Lewis Allen
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Tony Scott
Tony Scott
Producer

Lyrics

Southern trees bear 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
Written by: Lewis Allan
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