I see strange fruit
When I look to the trees
The blood on the leaves
Has dropped from the deceased
No Jiminy
But Geppetto’s on the strings
As Pinocchio conducts the piece
“Let Freedom Ring”
I see strange fruit
When I look to the streets
All the innocent bodies
Laying dead at their feet
I hear cries for justice
And cries for peace
But who pays the cost
When “justice ain’t free”?
Since Pinocchio won
They’re no longer amused
See, the people are scared
Or annoyed, or confused
Although some were discouraged
Others far worse than rude
I see beacons of hope
When I look to the youth
I see marches for women
And marches for science
The environment, too
Screw the climate deniers
I see people happy
And proud in parades
I see dreams not deferred
I see champions for change
I’ve seen strange fruit
When I looked to the trees
The blood on the leaves
Had dropped from the deceased
No Jiminy
But Geppetto’s on the strings
As Pinocchio conducts the piece
“Let Freedom Ring”