Southern trees bear strange fruit Blood on the leaves and blood at the root Black bodies swingin' in the Southern breeze Strange fruit hangin' from the poplar trees Pastoral scene of the gallant South The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth Scent of magnolia, sweet and fresh Then 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 the trees to drop Here is a strange and bitter crop

So this is how my life turns out Lost in chapter three Empty vases, spanx and no thanks Book clubs and TV and no one noticed Mmm, least of all me No more high heeled shoes or low cut jeans Lipstick or perfume No midnight calls or secret glances Holed up in my room and no one noticed Least of all me There's no down and out As long as you keep trying You'll be right back in the game But you've changed Now I'm living in the moment I'm excited to be turning the page again If you read between the lines You'll know it's my time And I can see the signs It's not over 'til it's over I surround myself with people Who can feel my heart and soul I discover friends and lovers Then your dreams make me whole I finally noticed Oh, love will pull me in What a joy to find that life can still surprise me But I won't be compromised I realize Now I'm living in the moment I'm excited to be turning the page again If you read between the lines You'll know it's my time And I can see the signs It's not over 'til it's over Ooh, ooh Now, I'm grateful for the lessons of this journey They have made me who I am (who I am) I understand Now I'm living in the moment (yea) And I'm excited to be turnin' the page again If you read between the lines You'll know it's my time And I can see the signs And now I know this is my moment And I'm going to be riding some brand-new life 'Cause I know this is my time And I've been redefined Watch me as I shine It's not over 'til it's over (Living in the moment, let the pages turn) (Living in the moment) oh-oh I made my own story (living in the moment, let the pages turn) my, my, my (Living in the moment) This feelin' goes on and on and on and on and on (living in the moment, let the pages turn) (Living in the moment) (Living in the moment, let the pages turn) yeah (Living in the moment) Living in the moment, let the pages turn