Dowland’s Foundry with Sami Brown on lute perform It was a time when silly bees could speak, No. 18 from the Third Book of Songs by John Dowland (1563-1626). This comes via The Lute Society on their YouTube in preparation for the Dowland 400 Festival. Wonderful performance and I love seeing the authentic setting of lute accompaniment in the centre, surrounded by singers at the table.
Dowland composed the music but the lyrics are attributed to Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex. The “silly bee” carries the meaning of ‘simple’ to describe the life of a courtier.
- The “Silly Bee”: Represents Essex himself, a loyal servant who brought “wax and honey to the hive” but did not “thrive”.
- The King/Queen of Bees: Symbolizes Queen Elizabeth I.
- The Rival Insects: References to “the lazy drone,” “the wasp,” and “the butterfly” are likely swipes at other courtiers.
- The Moral: The song ends with a cold rejection from the monarch: “Peace, peevish bee, / Thou’rt bound to serve the time, the time not thee”. In other words, subjects exist for the state, not the other way around.
