The Bæbes's first album, Salva Nos (1997), shot straight to No 2 in the classical charts, a silver disc. Subsequent albums include Worldes Blysse (which went straight to No 1), Undrentide, (co-produced by John Cale), The Rose, and the Christmas-themed album Mistletoe & Wine.
Mirabilis (2005), was launched at a concert and party in London, August 2005. A self-titled DVD was released in July 2006. The first 300 preorders were autographed by the band and received a special mention in the DVD credits.
A live album was be released in December 2006 and featured two bonus studio tracks, An Itunes exclusive was also launched which added tracks not featured on the cd release and at this time still remain exclusive so is well worth tracking down.
The new album entitled Illumination was released via preorder on the bands website in Oct 2008 and as an added incentive to fans features two bonus tracks not included on the regular wholesale edition which has a Spring 2009 official release date. There has been concerns over the mastering of the album from fans which could account for the delayed release dates.
Each album features traditional medieval songs and poetry set to music, mostly arranged by Blake specifically for the ensemble, alongside varying numbers of original compositions. They sing in a variety of languages, including Latin, Middle English, French, Italian, Russian, Middle High German, Welsh, Irish Gaelic, modern English, Swedish and the nearly extinct Cornish. Their vocals are backed by medieval instruments, including the recorder and cittern, played by the singers or fellow musicians.
One of the group's founding musicians, Dorothy Carter, died of a stroke in 2003 at the age of 68. In addition to playing autoharp, hurdy gurdy, and dulcimer with the group, she performed the lead vocals on So Spricht Das Leben (Worldes Blysse) and L'Amour de Moi (The Rose).
Emily Ovenden, who sings with the group, is the daughter of artist Graham Ovenden.
The Bæbes' musical pieces run the gamut from extremely traditional, such as their version of The Coventry Carol on Salva Nos, to songs that feel traditional but are much more modern, such as their rendition of Summerisle, a song written for Robin Hardy's 1973 cult film Wicker Man. John Cale added non-medieval instruments, including saxophone and electric guitar, to some of the arrangements on Undrentide, although with subsequent albums the band returned to more traditional instruments. Even with these instruments, however, the band's current style is quite different from medieval authentic performance groups, as it displays significant modern influence.
Current Band Members:
Katharine Blake (Contralto, Recorders, Violin, Piano), Emily Ovenden (Soprano, Recorders, Concertina, Percussion), Ester Dee (Soprano), Claire Rabbitt (Contralto, Piano), Bev Lee Harling (Alto, Violin, Citern, Recorders, Guitar), Melpomeni Kermanidou (Mezzo Soprano, Piano)
former Band Members:
Dorothy Carter, Karen Lupton, Nicole Frobusch, Nichole Sleet, Carmen Schneider, Claire Ravel, Ruth Galloway, Teresa Casella, Rachel Van Ash, Audrey Evans, Marie Findley, Cylindra Sapphire, Sophie Evans, Maple Bee, Sofia Escobar, Maxine Fone
Official website: www.mediaevalbaebes.com
Adult Lullaby
Mediæval Bæbes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why wepestou so sore
Nedes mostou wepe
It was iyarked thee yore
Ever to lib in sorrow
And sich and mourne evere
As thine eldren did er this
Whil hi alives were
Lollay, lollay little child
Child, lollay, lullow
You have come into
An alien world
The lyrics to Mediæval Bæbes's song "Adult Lullaby" speak to the universal human experience of feeling overwhelmed and sad in difficult times. The repetition of "lollay" and "lullaby" throughout the song serves as a soothing refrain that provides comfort and reassurance. The opening lines ask the child why they are crying and then remind them that it is natural to cry and feel sadness. It is almost as though the song is giving the child permission to feel their feelings and reassuring them that they are not alone in their sorrow.
The second verse speaks to the harsh realities of the world that the child has been born into. It acknowledges that life is often full of sorrow and difficulty, but it does so in a gentle and compassionate way. The last line, "You have come into an alien world," is particularly poignant. It speaks to the idea that we are all strangers in a strange land, trying to make our way in a world that is often confusing and overwhelming.
Overall, "Adult Lullaby" is a beautiful and haunting song that evokes a sense of both sadness and comfort. It speaks to the shared human experience of struggling with difficult emotions and trying to find our way in a world that can be both beautiful and challenging.
Line by Line Meaning
Lollay, lollay, little child
Addressing the child with a soothing lullaby
Why wepestou so sore
Why are you crying so much?
Nedes mostou wepe
It's necessary that you cry
It was iyarked thee yore
Destined to be melancholic since birth
Ever to lib in sorrow
To live a life full of pain and grief
And sich and mourne evere
And to constantly lament and mourn
As thine eldren did er this
As your ancestors did before you
Whil hi alives were
When they were alive
Child, lollay, lullow
Continuing to soothe the child with a lullaby
You have come into
You were brought into
An alien world
A strange and unfamiliar world to you
Contributed by Adrian C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.