John Wolcot: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

The Bee

John Wolcot

“The Bee” as printed in A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853).

John Wolcot: Collected Lyrics Text 1 1853 · historical text
Public domainHymnSacred song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from A First Series of Hymns and Songs, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

Sweet lab'rer, 'mid the summer's golden hour,

Full oft I trace thy little busy flight,

With pleasure see thee perch from flow'r to flow'r,

On violets, woodbines, roses, lilies bright.

Verse 2

Yet what to thee is summer's golden smile?

And what to thee the flower-enamell'd plain?

Will gratitude reward thy daily toil?

No, no; thou workest for reward in vain.

Verse 3

Thy honied wealth is soon no longer thine;

Rapacity shall force thy little door:

Those treasures with thy life thou must resign,

A breathless victim, on thy fragrant store.

Credits

Written by John Wolcot

Words by John Wolcot. Historical text published in A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853), “The Bee”

Every text in this 1853 collection is by Henry Formby (1816-1884), who died more than 140 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide; the edition carries a Wikisource PD-old determination.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-26. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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