A Sleepin' Bee
Nancy Wilson -Cannonball Adderly 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 morning dew
And where the days go laughing by
When love comes calling 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
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

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
Golden as a crown
A sleepin' bee done told me

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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "A Sleepin' Bee" by Nancy Wilson & Cannonball Adderley convey a sense of enchantment and bliss that comes with being in love. The opening line, "When a bee lies sleepin' in the palm of your hand," symbolizes the delicate and serene state of love. It suggests that love has the power to captivate and entrance us, just like the magic of holding a sleeping bee.

The lyrics further describe the feeling of being deeply connected to someone, with lines like "You're bewitched and deep in love's long looked after land." It portrays love as a safe and cherished place where the sun always shines and the days are filled with laughter. The mention of the "morning dew" and "sun up sky" evokes a sense of freshness and new beginnings, highlighting the joy and optimism that love brings.

The chorus emphasizes the happiness and contentment that love brings, suggesting that the singer has finally found their true love. They express disbelief at their good fortune, with lines like "Can't believe what just passed, he's mine for the takin'," indicating a sense of gratitude and astonishment. The lyrics portray their love interest as someone who is sweet and precious, comparing them to a golden crown. The song ends with the aspiration of walking with their feet off the ground, signifying the euphoric state love can bring.

Overall, "A Sleepin' Bee" captures the enchantment, bliss, and transformative power of love, painting a vivid picture of the happiness found in a deep connection with another.

Line by Line Meaning

When a bee lies sleepin'
When someone you love is peacefully resting

In the palm of your hand
Within your control and close to your heart

You're bewitched and deep in
You're enchanted and fully immersed

Love's long looked after land
A place where love is nurtured and cherished

Where you'll see a sun up sky
Where you'll witness a radiant and hopeful future

In the morning dew
In the freshness and beauty of each new day

And where the days go laughing by
And where time passes joyously and with laughter

When love comes calling on you
When love invites you to embrace its presence

Sleep on, bee, don't waken
Remain in blissful slumber, unaware of reality

Can't believe what just passed
Unable to comprehend the incredible experience that just occurred

He's mine for the takin'
He belongs to me, ready to be embraced