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
Come My Sweet
Mediæval Bæbes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come my culver, myn owne bour
Come my moder, now with me
For hevyn quene
I make thee
My swete sone withal my love
I come with thee to thin above
For all my love is
layde on thee
The lyrics of Mediæval Bæbes's song "Come My Sweet" are a plea to the heavenly Mother, asking her to join the singer on a journey to heaven. The song is a haunting, ethereal invocation that evokes the image of a medieval pilgrimage. The first stanza invites different aspects of the Mother to "come" and join the singer on their journey, referring to her as "my sweet," "my flower," "my culver" (meaning dove, a symbol of the Holy Spirit), and "my own bower" (a place of refuge). The repetition of "come" creates a hypnotic effect, drawing the listener in.
In the second stanza, the singer addresses her "sweet son," presumably Jesus, and declares her love for him. She asks to join him in heaven, where he currently resides. The final line of the song, "For all my love is laid on thee," emphasizes the deep devotion that the singer feels towards Jesus and the Mother.
Overall, "Come My Sweet" is a deeply spiritual song that speaks to the longing of the human soul for connection with the divine. The repetition of the word "come" creates a sense of urgency and longing, and the use of symbolic language (such as the dove and the bower) adds layers of meaning to the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Come my swete, come my flour
My beloved, my lovely - I yearn for you to come to me
Come my culver, myn owne bour
Come my dove, my dear shelter - I need you by my side
Come my moder, now with me
Come my mother, be with me now - I need your comfort and guidance
For hevyn quene
Because you are the queen of heaven - I look to you for protection and support
I make thee
I entrust myself to you - please take care of me
My swete sone withal my love
My dear son, whom I love very much - I follow you
I come with thee to thin above
I accompany you to the high places - I am with you wherever you go
Where thou art now let me be
I desire to be wherever you are - please do not leave me behind
For all my love is layde on thee
Because all of my affection is focused on you - you are my one and only
Contributed by Oliver M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
charles hopkins
They are great singers and they keep the old music alive.
pspboy7
These girls really have great voices and are very pretty to look at, and I don't that's a bad thing in any way :)
tonupjohnny
i've escorted these girls on and off stage at tewkesbury many a time, and they are really amazing live
Basil II Macedonia
Such a talented group!!
Jex Witchlove
This was the song I walked into my handfasting circle to. My childhood best friend picked it for me the night he died. He wasn't even there when I heard it. It reminded me of his eyes, which were a beautiful bright sparkling blue. The next day I got a phone call telling me he had died the night before at the very time I heard this song and thought of him. That's how I knew he choose it.
Basil II Macedonia
Their new album is absolutely brilliant, but Mirabilis is my my favourite. This song is just brilliant in concert. The Baebes rule!!
Alleph Natany
perfeitas
Ironchef765
Intoxicating....enchanting...exquisite performance!
Transmissional
Soooooo old now. Yet still so good!
madscally1
it's putting me in the mood to cross over the border and do a spot of reiving. will steal some coos, sheep and a dusky maiden or two :)