*Strange Fruit

Strange fruit was a poem written in 1937 by a teacher named Abel Meeropol. Many singers have performed it as a song - most famous is Billie Holiday's version.

Read the poem below and listen to Billie Holiday's version. Then write a text where you explain what you believe the poem is really about. Give examples from the poem. Write at least half a page.

Strange Fruit

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

This is homework for 10EF for Monday September 7th
This is homework for 10 CD for Monday September 7th