As Abelhas

Vinicius de Moraes' song 'As Abelhas' is a delightful ode to the natural world, specifically focusing on the life and activities of bees. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the bees' daily routine, highlighting their industrious nature and the beauty of their environment. The song begins by introducing the 'abelha-mestra' (queen bee) and her 'abelhinhas' (little bees), who are all set to attend a festive gathering in the garden. The imagery of bees buzzing around, playing with flowers, and dancing with jasmine and carnations creates a whimsical and enchanting scene.

The song also touches on the cyclical nature of the bees' work, moving from flower to flower, collecting nectar, and returning to the hive to produce honey. This cycle is beautifully captured in the lines 'Da rosa pro cravo / Do cravo pra rosa / Da rosa pro favo / E de volta pra rosa,' emphasizing the interconnectedness of nature and the bees' role in it. The repetition of these lines mimics the repetitive yet harmonious nature of the bees' work, creating a soothing and rhythmic flow to the song.

Moreover, the song subtly critiques the queen bee's role, describing her as 'sempre cansada' (always tired) and 'não faz mais nada' (does nothing else) but getting fatter. This could be seen as a playful jab at the hierarchical structure within the bee community, where the worker bees are the ones tirelessly contributing to the hive's success. The chorus, 'Venham ver como dão mel / As abelhas do céu,' invites listeners to appreciate the bees' hard work and the sweet rewards they produce, symbolizing the beauty and productivity of nature when all its parts work in harmony.