Southern trees bearing 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 crow to pluck For the rain to wither, for the wind to suck For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop Here is a strange and bitter crop.