Bees

Origins

This isn’t originally a nursery rhyme — it’s an old English country proverb, going back at least to the 1600s or earlier. Beekeeping was common on farms, and people paid close attention to when bees swarmed, because a swarm meant profit. The rhyme was simply a way to remember the value of catching them at the right time.

Meaning

In short: earlier is better.

• A May swarm has the whole summer ahead → lots of honey → money.

• A June swarm is still good.

• By July, it’s too late — not worth the trouble to keep.

This rhyme is pure practical wisdom, not fantasy. It shows how closely people once lived with the seasons — to the point where even the bees had a financial calendar.

Victorian children’s books often included short sayings like this, mixing nature knowledge with poetry. Even city children were expected to learn something about the countryside — and rhymes like this helped pass the knowledge on without feeling like a lesson.

The rhyme still appears in Mother Goose collections today, even though most modern readers no longer keep bees. What keeps it alive is its beautiful rhythm — and its glimpse into a world where a child would know exactly why a swarm in May could make a family’s year.