This is a ritual marriage song is about a conversation with a personified bee, drawing parallels between it and the bride: LYRICS - Oh, ye little bee Ye tiny little one Were you not afraid To fly around alone In the green wood In the bushes? - Oh, why would I be afraid To fly around alone In the green wood In the bushes? I was only scared Of the black hawk, Should he fly over Should he take me away... - Oh, ye lassie, Ye white lilly, Weren't you afraid To walk around alone In your father's manor In the tall barn? - Oh, why would I be afraid To walk around alone In my father's manor In the tall barn? I was only scared Of the young lad Should he ride over, Should he take me away Should he take me away Should he take me away To a distant land... I would have to present Many dear gifts: To my mother-in-law - A silken apron, To my father-in-law - White shirt, To my brother-in-law - A mottled sash, To my sister-in-law - A twig of rue
