Bo Peep February 18, 2017 Animals 0 Comments

Children help adult farmers at the apiary

A Swarm of Bees in May

A swarm of bees in May
Is worth a load of hay;
A swarm of bees in June
Is worth a silver spoon;
A swarm of bees in July
Is not worth a fly.

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Posted in Animals, Historical & Traditional, Moral & Lesson, Nature & Seasons, Rhymes

Tagged bee, farming, fly, hay, May, silver, spoon

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Meaning

This rhyme expresses the high value placed on bees swarming in different months, with a particular emphasis on May as the most favourable time. It reflects the importance of beekeeping and agriculture in pre-industrial societies, where a healthy bee swarm was a sign of abundance and prosperity. The rhyme also suggests a kind of rural wisdom: that timing matters in the natural world, especially for those working with crops and animals.

Origin

This rhyme is of British origin, deeply rooted in agrarian folklore. It was widely known in England, especially in rural areas where beekeeping was a vital part of domestic and farming life.

Time Period

It likely dates back to the 17th or 18th century, though it may have existed in oral tradition even earlier. It began appearing in printed collections of proverbs and folk sayings in the 19th century.

Why It Became Popular

The rhyme became popular as a piece of agricultural wisdom, often quoted by farmers and rural families. Its use of rhyme made it easy to remember, and its seasonal advice was relevant to daily life. Over time, it gained a place in broader collections of proverbs, nature lore, and nursery rhymes due to its vivid imagery and link to the natural rhythms of the year.

First Known Publication

The verse was included in 19th-century collections of British proverbs and country lore, such as in James Orchard Halliwell’s compilations and later in Farmer’s Calendar and other rural almanacs.

Structure and Style

Form: Quatrain or couplets, depending on version
Rhyme Scheme: AABB
Style: Proverbial, seasonal, and reflective of folk wisdom
Common version:
A swarm of bees in May
Is worth a load of hay.
A swarm of bees in June
Is worth a silver spoon.
A swarm of bees in July
Is not worth a fly.

Cultural or Educational Function

The rhyme functioned as a seasonal guide for beekeepers and rural families. It taught the relative value of a bee swarm depending on when it appeared, linking it to productivity. Children may have learned it at home as part of practical knowledge passed down through generations, especially in farming households.

Usage in Modern Times

While no longer widely taught to children, the rhyme is still cited in books on beekeeping, country living, and folk sayings. It retains cultural interest for those studying traditional farming practices or English folklore, and it sometimes appears in historical literature or heritage-based educational settings.

Related Rhymes

“Baa Baa Black Sheep” – Also tied to animal-related trades
“The North Wind Doth Blow” – Reflects seasonal change and animal behaviour
“One Misty Moisty Morning” – Rural and weather-related verse

Moral or Lesson

Timing and nature matter. The rhyme offers a practical lesson: that the value of natural events—like a bee swarm—can vary significantly depending on the time of year.

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