In the rock (and roll) community, Bill Monroe may be best known via one of Elvis Presley's earliest recordings at Sun Records, that of Monroe's 'Blue Moon of Kentucky'. Patsy Cline also made a highly regarded version of this song.
When the Bees Are in the Hive
Bill Monroe Lyrics
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(Bryan/Mills)
By the mill stream sits the Miller's pretty daughter
Her cheeks are like the first red rose of June
Her sweet voice sounds just like the rippling water
As so tenderly she hums an old love tune
But soon her song of joy has turned to sorrow
Her sweetheart now has come to say goodbye
She thinks of a sad and lonely morrow
And he hugs her as she murmers with a sigh
When the bees are in the hive and the honey in the comb
And the golden sunlight bends to kiss the dew
While the old mill wheel turns 'round I love you Mary
And when the bees are in the hive I'll come to you
By the old mill sits the lonely maid repining
And her face was like the spring rose far away
While she looked down in the silver waters shining
And she sees her golden locks are dimmed with grey
Long years she's waited there for his returning
All in vain she's thinking he'll come back someday
For the lamp of hope still in her heart is burning
As the old mill wheel turns 'round it seems to say
The song "When the Bees Are in the Hive" by Bill Monroe is a classic ballad that tells the story of a miller's daughter who falls in love with a young man, only to have him leave her and never return. The lyrics evoke feelings of sadness, longing, and unrequited love, as the young woman waits for her love to return, but he never does. The song paints a vivid picture of the setting, with the mill stream and the old mill wheel turning, and the sun shining down on everything. It also showcases the sweet, tender voice of the young woman as she sings an old love tune, and the heartache she experiences when her love leaves her.
The song speaks to the universal theme of lost love and waiting for a loved one to return. It highlights the pain that comes with unrequited love and the loneliness that often accompanies it. The lyrics are slow and mournful, sung in a melancholic tone that perfectly captures the emotions of the young woman. The imagery used in the song is also quite striking, with the golden sunlight bending to kiss the dew, and the silver waters shining in the sun.
Overall, "When the Bees Are in the Hive" is a beautiful song that speaks to the deepest longings of the heart. It captures the pain and despair of lost love, while offering a glimmer of hope that true love may someday come again.
Line by Line Meaning
By the mill stream sits the Miller's pretty daughter
The Miller's daughter sits by the mill stream
Her cheeks are like the first red rose of June
Her cheeks have a reddish hue, much like the first rose of June
Her sweet voice sounds just like the rippling water
She has a sweet voice that resembles the sound of water rippling
As so tenderly she hums an old love tune
She hums a gentle and affectionate old love song
But soon her song of joy has turned to sorrow
Her happy melody has transformed into a sad tune
Her sweetheart now has come to say goodbye
Her lover has arrived to bid farewell
She thinks of a sad and lonely morrow
She's worried about a sad and lonely future
And he hugs her as she murmers with a sigh
He embraces her and she murmurs with a sigh
When the bees are in the hive and the honey in the comb
During the time when the bees are safely in their hive and honey is stored in the comb
And the golden sunlight bends to kiss the dew
When the sun's light touches the dew it seems to kiss it
While the old mill wheel turns 'round I love you Mary
As the old mill wheel is turning, I declare my love for Mary
And when the bees are in the hive I'll come to you
I'll come to you when the bees are in their hive
By the old mill sits the lonely maid repining
The lonely maiden sits by the old mill, lost in thought
And her face was like the spring rose far away
Her face was as if resembling a distant spring rose
While she looked down in the silver waters shining
As she gazes down into the shining silver waters
And she sees her golden locks are dimmed with grey
She notices that her golden hair has become grey
Long years she's waited there for his returning
For many years, she has waited for his return
All in vain she's thinking he'll come back someday
She's realizing that her hope of his return is likely in vain
For the lamp of hope still in her heart is burning
Nevertheless, the light of hope in her heart still burns
As the old mill wheel turns 'round it seems to say
As the old mill wheel continues to turn, it appears to be saying
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ALFRED BRYAN, KERRY MILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jimmy 2 shoes
Still great music
Robert Asherbraner
As the old mill wheel turns 'round it seems to say...