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How doth the little busy bee

How doth the little busy bee

Author: Isaac Watts (1715)
Published in 32 hymnals

Representative Text

How doth the little busy bee
Improve each shining hour,
And gather honey all the day
From every opening flower!

66
How skillfully she builds her cell!
How neat she spreads the wax!
And labours hard to store it well
With the sweet food she makes.

In works of labour or of skill
I would be busy too:
For Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do.

In books, or work, or healthful play
Let my first years be past,
That I may give for every day
Some good account at last.



Source: Divine and Moral Songs: attempted in easy language for the use of children with some additional composures #HXX

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Author: Isaac Watts

Isaac Watts was the son of a schoolmaster, and was born in Southampton, July 17, 1674. He is said to have shown remarkable precocity in childhood, beginning the study of Latin, in his fourth year, and writing respectable verses at the age of seven. At the age of sixteen, he went to London to study in the Academy of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, an Independent minister. In 1698, he became assistant minister of the Independent Church, Berry St., London. In 1702, he became pastor. In 1712, he accepted an invitation to visit Sir Thomas Abney, at his residence of Abney Park, and at Sir Thomas' pressing request, made it his home for the remainder of his life. It was a residence most favourable for his health, and for the prosecution of his literary… Go to person page >

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Text Information

First Line: How doth the little busy bee
Author: Isaac Watts (1715)
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain
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Timeline

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Instances

Instances (1 - 32 of 32)
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A Book of Hymns and Tunes #167

A Book of Hymns and Tunes #167

Children's Primary Hymn Book. 1st ed. #d28

Children's Primary Hymn Book. 1st ed. #d28
TextPage Scan

Divine and Moral Songs #HXX

Divine and Moral Songs #HXX
TextPage Scan

Divine Songs for Children #XX

Divine Songs for Children #XX
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Divine Songs #20

Divine Songs #20
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Hymns additional to the Hymns in the Prayer Book #228

Hymns additional to the Hymns in the Prayer Book #228

Hymns and Poetry for the Young #d45

Hymns and Poetry for the Young #d45

Hymns and Songs #d28

Hymns and Songs #d28

Hymns and Tunes for the Sunday School, the Congregation and the Home #d72

Hymns and Tunes for the Sunday School, the Congregation and the Home #d72
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Hymns for First-Day Schools #98

Hymns for First-Day Schools #98
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Hymns for First-Day Schools (Rev. and Enl.) #98

Hymns for First-Day Schools (Rev. and Enl.) #98

Hymns for Schools and Families #d204

Hymns for Schools and Families #d204

Hymns for Schools and Families #d52

Hymns for Schools and Families #d52
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Hymns for Schools and Families #16

Hymns for Schools and Families #16
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Hymns for Schools and Families, Specailly Designed for the Children of the Church #346

Hymns for Schools and Families, Specailly Designed for the Children of the Church #346
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Hymns for Sunday Schools, Youth and Children #255

Hymns for Sunday Schools, Youth and Children #255
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Hymns for Sunday Schools, Youth, and Children #255

Hymns for Sunday Schools, Youth, and Children #255

Hymns, Selected from Various Authors, for the Use of Young Persons 3rd Am. from 9th London ed. #d98

Hymns, Selected from Various Authors, for the Use of Young Persons 3rd Am. from 9th London ed. #d98

Hymns, Selected from Various Authors, for the Use of Young Persons #d89

Hymns, Selected from Various Authors, for the Use of Young Persons #d89

Linden Harp #d41

Linden Harp #d41
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Linden Harp #25a

Linden Harp #25a
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Plymouth Collection #a1370

Plymouth Collection #a1370
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Plymouth Collection of Hymns and Tunes; for the use of Christian Congregations #1370

Plymouth Collection of Hymns and Tunes; for the use of Christian Congregations #1370

Songs for the Little Ones at Home #d70

Songs for the Little Ones at Home #d70
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Songs, Divine and Moral #88

Songs, Divine and Moral #88

Sunday School Hymn Book #d150

Sunday School Hymn Book #d150
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The Baptist Hymn and Tune Book #1370

The Baptist Hymn and Tune Book #1370
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The Cherub #82

The Cherub #82
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The Child's Hymn Book #223

The Child's Hymn Book #223
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The Gospel Psalmist #842

The Gospel Psalmist #842

The Primary Song book #d36

The Primary Song book #d36
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Watt's Divine Songs For the use of Children #20

Watt's Divine Songs For the use of Children #20
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