STRANGE FRUIT (UNISEX TRI-BLEND TEE)

A'ight, look. Before all the hardcore music-heads start trying to jump on me, yeah, there's a fuckload to unpack with this tune.

So much so, that there's been entire books written on just the poem/song itself - not to mention research papers, countless newspaper & magazine articles, and goddamn graduate theses, to boot.

But we're not here to debate all that shit.
 
This time it's fairly simple.

Right now, half the country is fittin' to put that fat, racist, 9,653-concurrent-indictment-havin', orange piece-of-shit up for their fuckin' Republican candidate.

AGAIN.

Those. 'Ignant. Fuckin'. Crackers.

Every single one of whom is a racist piece-of-shit.

(You know, despite them going to church every Sunday, 'an shit)

And this tune, that Billie Holiday, without question made into her own, is the biggest, bravest (some might say audacious), most powerful "fuck you" to every single one of 'em.

And she first did it 85 fuckin' years ago!

At the age of 24!

So, you know, yeah, we've advanced as a society.

But here's the short:

Originally written as a poem (and subsequently composed) by Abel Meeropol (writing under the pseudonym Lewis Allan - and yeah, there's a story there, too) in January 1937 and entitled "Bitter Fruit".

Then two years later it made its way to Billie Holiday.

Originally recorded on the Commodore* label on April 30th, 1939 (others say Apil 20th - but ten days, give or take, really doesn't fuckin' matter).

However what does matter, or is at least fairly telling, is that it didn't go over to Commodore until after Columbia records (her label) said, "nah".

Though I suppose you could argue that it was "mighty white" of them to give her a one-session release from her contract to record it elsewhere.

But then her producer at the time, John Hammond, was like, "uh uh", as well.

Hence, Commodore (via Milt Gabler).

And then a distribution deal through Vocalion Records.

And then the unmatched bravery of Billie on stage in '39 at the age of 24 giving it to 'em straight to their goddamn faces with this...


Southern trees bear a strange fruit,
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root,
Black body 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 a tree to drop,
Here is a strange and bitter crop.



I mean...goddamn.

Just...

Goddamn.




Fun fact: When I was first hipped to this tune some 30 years ago (kinda dating myself here, and showcasing the shocking ignorance of youth), I remember initially thinking to myself, "Why the fuck was Abel Meeropol putting it out under a pseudonym? I mean, he was white. Living in New York. 'Fuck was he afraid of? Billie gave it to 'em right to their fuckin' faces. What a fuckin' pussy."

And then it was not until recently, when looking back into the tune for this shirt, that I learned that he had chosen that pen name in memory of his (or rather, his wife's) two stillborn children.

Ouch.

And again, the grand ignorance of youth.

(and well, you know, not to mention the fact that he was Jewish - in 1937 - as well)





* I went with the Atlantic Records version only because (in fitting with the theme) it was released as a 7" 45RPM - Commodore's wasn't.


Bella + Canvas 3413 Boilerplate*:

The tri-blend fabric creates a vintage, fitted look. And extreme durability makes this t-shirt withstand repeated washings and still remain super comfortable.

• 50% polyester, 25% combed ring-spun cotton, 25% rayon
• Fabric weight: 3.4 oz/yd² (115.3 g/m²)
• Pre-shrunk for extra durability
• 40 singles
• Regular fit
• Side-seamed construction
• Blank product sourced from Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, or the US

This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!

* Free Shipping (Always)

* Heads Up - When the shirt(s) arrive, they'll most likely have a (not so) pleasant odor (from the printing process). Just give 'em a quick wash, it'll disappear - and the shirt will lay better, too.

Trust.

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