The song “Strange Fruit,” has been described as the “song of the century” in 1999 by Time Magazine. It was popularized by the famous American jazz singer, Billie Holiday. It is among the greatest and best-known protest songs in American history. At this time of Black History Month in the US, it would be appropriate to recognize the fascinating story behind this great song. The shocking lyrics are as follows: 1. “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 / 2. 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 / 3. Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck / For the rains to gather, for the wind to suck / For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop / Here is a strange and bitter crop.