Rudyard Kipling 1906
Peter Bellamy 1972
Based on folklore documented in Greek Anthology and the Middle Ages. Since bees can be considered part of the family, it is believed that if the owner of bees passes away, the family must tell the bees of the death so they are allowed to grieve, or the bees will fly away or die as well. This practice can extend even further to telling the bees about any death in the family, birth, marriage, or secrets.
Rosie Hodgson & Rowan Piggott: Rosie Hodgson & Rowan Piggott at The Thomas Lord, Petersfield | The Big Walk 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuATS3_OBSk
Chorus: Bees! Bees! Hark to your bees! “Hide from your neighbours as much as you please, But all that has happened, to us you must tell, Or else we will give you no honey to sell!” A Maiden in her glory, Upon her wedding-day, Must tell her Bees the story, Or else they’ll fly away. Fly away-die away-Dwindle down and leave you! But if you don’t deceive your Bees, Your Bees will not deceive you. Marriage, birth or buryin’, News across the seas, All you’re sad or merry in, You must tell the Bees. Tell ’em coming in an’ out, Where the Fanners fan, Because the Bees are just about As curious as a man! Don’t you wait where trees are, When the lightnings play; Nor don’t you hate where Bees are, Or else they’ll pine away. Pine away-dwine away-Anything to leave you! But if you never grieve your Bees, Your Bees will never grieve you!