The Tale of a Bumble-Bee

A popular song from 1901.
Words by Frank Pixley.
Music by Gustav Luders.


The sheet music:


Accompaniment:


Lyrics

  1. A bold bumble bee, idly roving o’er the lea
    Met a white clover blossom sweet with dew
    He gave her a kiss, and she thought it not amiss
    For he swore that he always would be true
    But he looked on that flower, as the toy of an hour
    Which a kindly fate was throwing in his way
    And he thought she’d forget, that they had ever met
    But he promised he’d return some day

Chorus
Come back, my own my love still is true
There’s honey in my heart and it’s only for you
There are tears in my eyes, though the world calls it dew
I’m waiting and I want you, and I want but you

  1. The bee liked to stray, so he gaily buzzed away
    And forgot every loving word he said
    He gives not a thought to the havoc he has wrought
    Though he knows why the clover now is red
    ‘Tis a blush for the bliss of that one stolen kiss
    She is thinking of her lover far away
    Oh! she ne’er can forget, for she’s loyal to him yet
    And she’s hoping he’ll come back some day
  2. Remember, my dear, there is always much to fear
    When a maid gives her kisses to a man
    She must be discreet, if she’d keep him at her feet
    Love should end where this episode began
    Many men that you see, like this false bumble bee
    Scatter promises and break them in a day
    But beware of the sting, the kiss without the ring
    May you never have good cause to say

Sung here by Fred Feild: