Where the bee sucks

The text below is from two discrete sources and is by William Shakespeare. The first verse comprises Ariel's song from The Tempest, Act V scene 1; the second verse derives from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act V scene 1. The concatenation of the two verses is unique to the Jackson (of Exeter) setting.

Notes on selected settings

• Thomas Arne Solo
• Pelham Humfrey T Solo
• William Jackson of Exeter SSTB
• Robert Johnson II Solo
• John Wilson SSB or TTB

Settings by composers (automatically updated)

• Thomas Arne — Where the bee sucks  English solo high
• William Jackson of Exeter — Where the bee sucks  English SSTB
• Pelham Humfrey — Where the bee sucks  English T
• Robert Johnson II — Where the bee sucks  English Solo mediumSATBTTB
• John Wilson — Where the bee sucks  English SSB,TTB

Texts and translations

English text Where the bee sucks, there lurk/suck I: In a cowslip's bell I lie; There I couch when owls do cry. On the bat's back I do fly After sunset/summer merrily. Merrily, merrily shall I live now Under the blossom that hangs on the bough. All we Fairies that do run, By the triple Hecates' beam, From the presence of the Sun, Follow darkness as a dream. Over hill, over dale, Over park, over pale, Thorough flood, thorough fire,

German translation Wo die Biene saugt, saug’ ich, im Schoß der Primul lagr’ ich mich, dort schlaf ich, wenn die Eule schreit, ich flieg’, in steter Munterkeit, fern von des Winters Ungemach dem angenehmen Sommer nach, wie fröhlich wird künftig mein Aufenthalt sein unter den Blüten im duftenden Hain!