The lyrics you provided are not from a UB40 song. They are actually from the song "Strange Fruit," which was originally written as a poem by Abel Meeropol in the late 1930s and later famously performed by Billie Holiday. This powerful and haunting song addresses the brutal and unjust lynching of Black people, specifically in the Southern United States during the era of racial segregation. The "strange fruit" mentioned in the lyrics refers to the bodies of Black individuals who were lynched and left hanging from trees, depicting the horrors and atrocities committed against them. The song describes the shocking contrast between the peaceful and idyllic scenery of the South, represented by the pastoral scene, magnolia scent, and poplar trees, with the gruesome reality of racial violence and the smell of burning flesh. The lyrics evoke a sense of bitterness and despair, expressing that the fruit of injustice is bitter and inedible, serving as a metaphor for the devastating impact of racism and violence on individuals and society as a whole. It reflects the deep racial tensions and systemic oppression faced by African Americans during that time. "Strange Fruit" became an iconic protest song, calling for an end to racial discrimination and drawing attention to the need for social justice. It remains a powerful symbol of the Civil Rights Movement and the ongoing struggle for equality.
