| Wie die Biene | As the bee |
| Wie die Biene | As the bee, |
| Flogest du, | you flew, |
| Froher Miene | joyful expression |
| Sogest du | you sucked |
| Blütenthau, o welchen | blossom dew, oh which |
| Thau aus allen Kelchen | dew from all little goblets |
| Saugend zogest du! | you sucked. |
| Wie die Biene | As the bee |
| Labest du, | you refresh yourself, |
| Süßer Miene | only sweet expressions |
| Gabest du | gave you |
| Honig nur den deinen, | to honey, |
| Und wir dachten, keinen | and we thought |
| Stachel habest du. | you were without sting. |
| Unsre Biene | Our bees |
| Warest du, | you were, |
| Sanfter Miene | gentle expressions, |
| Sparest du | you saved |
| Nur dein Gift, und solchen | only your poison, and such |
| Stachel nun gleich Dolchen | stingers now as daggers |
| Offenbarest du. | you reveal. |
| Wie die Biene | As the bees |
| Flogest du, | you flew, |
| Frommer Miene | with holy expressions |
| Logest du, | you deceived, |
| Ließest wund die Herzen, | left a wound in the hearts, |
| Und den Seim für Schmerzen | and the honey for our pain |
| Uns entzogest du. | you took away. |
| Wie die Biene, | As the bee, |
| Sei nicht bang, | be not afraid, |
| Froher Miene, | joyful expressions, |
| Mein Gesang! | my song! |
| Diese Schmerzen taugen, | These pains are suited |
| Lust daraus zu saugen | to the extraction of joy |
| Unter Bienenklang. | under the humming of bees. |