The Beehive

Origin: England

Lyrics

Here is the beehiveWhere are the bees?Hidden away where nobody seesWatch and you'll see them come out of the hiveOne…two…three…four…five!Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz.

Here is the beehiveWhere are the bees?Hidden away where nobody seesWatch and you'll see them land on the floorOne…two…three…four!Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz.

Here is the beehiveWhere are the bees?Hidden away where nobody seesWatch and you'll see them come out of the treeOne…two…three!Buzz, buzz, buzz.

"The Beehive" is a counting fingerplay: a closed fist is the hive, and the fingers are bees that emerge one at a time as you count, then buzz off. This is the multi-verse variant of the rhyme, counting out five bees, then four, then three.

Origins

The song has its roots in traditional English-language children's folklore. While the exact composer is unknown, the format of combining hand gestures with simple counting rhymes was popularized during the nineteenth century. The rhyme is historically connected to the educational methods of Friedrich Fröbel, the German educator who created the concept of kindergarten in the 1840s. Fröbel designed numerous fingerplays to encourage caregiver-child interaction. Although the song was passed down through oral tradition, it was formally compiled in modern children's songbooks, such as the 1979 collection Wee Sing Children's Songs and Fingerplays.

Meaning & Interpretation

The lyrics tell a simple nature story about bees hiding inside a hive and coming out one by one as they are counted. During the performance, children make a fist to represent the beehive, tucking their fingers inside. As they count from one to five, they extend each finger until their hand is fully open. The song ends with a buzzing sound, and parents or teachers often tickle the child, making the game highly interactive. The song serves as a practical tool for teaching young children basic numbers and counting skills, while the hand motions help develop finger strength and dexterity.

What is the meaning of The Beehive nursery rhyme?

The rhyme is an educational fingerplay about bees coming out of a hive. It is used to teach babies and toddlers how to count from one to five using their fingers, while engaging them in interactive play.

How do you do the actions for The Beehive?

Start by making a closed fist with your hand to represent the hive, hiding your fingers away. As you count from one to five, raise one finger at a time. On the final line, wiggle your fingers and make a buzzing noise to pretend the bees are flying.