A Sleepin' Bee
Cassandra Wilson Lyrics


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When a bee lies sleepin?
In the palm of your hand
You're bewitched and deep in
Love's long looked after land

Where you'll see a sun up sky
In the mornin' dew
And where the days go laughin' by
When love comes callin' on you

Sleep on, bee, don't waken
Can't believe what just passed
He's mine for the takin'
I am so happy at last

Maybe I dream but he seems sweet
And golden as a crown

A sleepin' bee done told me
I?ll walk with my feet off the ground
When my one true love I have found

When a bee lies sleepin?
In the palm of your hand
You're bewitched and deep in
Love's long looked after land

Where you'll see a sun up sky
In the mornin' dew
And where the days go laughin' by
When love comes callin' on you

Sleep on, bee, don't waken
Can't believe what just passed
He's mine for the takin'
I am so happy at last

Maybe I dream but he seems sweet
And golden as a crown

Sleepin' bee done told me




When I walk with my feet off the ground
When my one true love I have found

Overall Meaning

Cassandra Wilson's "A Sleepin' Bee" is a classic jazz-ballad about the euphoria of falling in love. The song's titular metaphor refers to the feeling of having love in the palm of one's hand, similar to how one might hold a bee that is sleeping and not active. With this imagery, Wilson presents love as a bewitching force that can transport one to a world of beauty, laughter, and happiness. Specifically, the lyrics depict how falling in love can make the world seem brighter and how it can make the singer feel like she is walking on air. Through the song's words, Wilson encourages the listener to embrace love and the freedom and joy that comes with it.


The lyrics are delivered in a carefree, almost nonchalant tone by Wilson, which reinforces the idea that love is a source of lightness and buoyancy. The playful, romantic energy of the song is further expressed in the repetition of the phrase "Sleep on, bee, don't waken," which is an exhortation to prolong the moment of love's awakening, to stay in the dreamlike state where love seems perfect and untainted. The use of the sleeping bee as a metaphor also serves to highlight the fragility and delicacy of love in its early stages, likening it to a delicate creature that one must handle with care to keep from harming.


Line by Line Meaning

When a bee lies sleepin?
When you have found love, it feels like a sleepy bee resting in your hand.


In the palm of your hand
This love is something you hold dear, and it fills you completely.


You're bewitched and deep in
You are under love's spell, and it has taken you to a place of pure bliss.


Love's long looked after land
This place of love is something that has been longed for, and it has finally been found.


Where you'll see a sun up sky
Love brings light to your life, and it feels as if the sun is rising every morning.


In the mornin' dew
Love is fresh and new every day, as if it were the first dew of the morning.


And where the days go laughin' by
Love fills your days with joy and laughter, creating happy memories that last a lifetime.


When love comes callin' on you
Love is something that finds you, and when it does, it changes your life forever.


Sleep on, bee, don't waken
Don't disturb this love, just let it sleep and continue to bring happiness and contentment.


Can't believe what just passed
It's hard to believe that something so wonderful and life-changing could happen to you.


He's mine for the takin'
Love is something to be cherished and taken care of, and it is something that is yours to keep and hold.


I am so happy at last
Love has finally come, and it has filled your heart with pure happiness and joy.


Maybe I dream but he seems sweet
Love can seem too good to be true, but it is real and it is everything you have ever wanted.


And golden as a crown
Love is something that makes you feel like royalty, and it brings light and warmth to your life.


A sleepin' bee done told me
This love has been revealed to you in a special way, as if a bee whispered it into your ear while it slept.


I'll walk with my feet off the ground
Love is something that lifts you up and makes you feel weightless, as if you are walking on air.


When my one true love I have found
This love is the one you have been searching for, and it has finally been found.




Contributed by Brody A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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