Historical Background

“Bees,” also known as “A Swarm Of Bees In May,” is an agricultural poem explaining the importance of bees and pollination during the spring and summer months. If bees pollinate in July, which is later in the season, crops are at risk because the subsequently late fruit is at risk of damage from cooler fall temperatures, hence the lyrics, “A swarm of bees in July / Is not worth a fly.” Aphorisms such as “Bees” are commonly used to aid in memorizing important rules or traditions, particularly in agriculture and seafaring. The adage, “Red sky at night / Sailor's delight. / Red sky in the morn' / Sailor be warned.” is a common example from the latter trade.