 Southern trees bear strange fruits Blood on the leaves and blood on the roots Bodies swinging in the southern breeze Strange fruit hanging from the popular trees Pastoral scene of the gallant south The big 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 together, for the wind to suck For the sun to rot, for the tree to drop Here is a string and bitter crop