Originally a poem written by Abel Meeropol about the horrors of the lynching of African Americans, the song has since become an essential in the musical protest cannon, and a constant reminder of America‰’s dark and troubled past. Most famously performed by Billie Holliday, “Strange Fruit”‰’s imagery is haunting, emotionally tolling, and frankly telling of a cold, bloody truth.

Strangely enough, Abel Meeropol was not African American, but rather a school teacher who was inspired to write the lyrics after seeing a gruesome picture of lynched men Thomas Schipp and Abram Smith. Smith and Schipp were lynched in Indiana for their alleged involvement in a robbery case. The men were subsequently targeted, beaten, and hanged.

But why this song specifically? Well, it had to do with the fact that I personally find this song to be especially powerful and emotionally tolling but nevertheless essential for any person interested in the history of protest music or the history of the U.S.A.

So there you have it. Short column this week, but take some time to read up about the history of the song and really digest it. Listen to it a few times, it‰’ll leave you speechless.