Strange Fruit
View chords used in this chart
Intro: Am G/B E7 Am Em7 Am Am G/B E7 Am Em7 Am
Am Em7 Am A9 Am E7
Southern trees bear a strange fruit
Am Em7 Am A9 Am E7
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
Bm5-/7 E7/9- Fdim E7
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze
Am Em7 Asus4 A9 Am
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees
Interlúde: Am G/B E7 Am Em7 Am
Am Em7 Am A9 Am E7
Pastoral scene of the gallant south
Am Em7 Fdim E7
The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth
Am Em7 Bm5-/7 Em7 A9 Am E7
Smell of magnolia, sweet and fresh
E7/9- Bm5-/7 Fdim E7
Then the sudden smell of burning flesh
Am Am7+ Dm Dm7 E7
Here is the fruit for the crows to pluck
Am E7 Gdim F E7
For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck
Em5-/7 A A7M Gdim Fdim E7
For the sun to rot, for the tree to drop
Am A9 Am E7 Bm5-/7 Em5-/7 E7 Am
Here is a strange and bitter crop
How to play Strange Fruit
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is Am. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.