We don't hear much these days about the thousands of black people who were killed by lynch mobs in the south throughout the first half of the 20th century.

STRANGE FRUIT recorded by Billie Holiday; also by Josh White

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.

Pastoral scene of the gallant South The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth Scent of magnolia sweet and fresh And the sudden smell of burning 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 trees to drop Here is a strange and bitter crop.