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
Ecce Mundi Gaudium
Mediæval Bæbes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics to Mediæval Bæbes' song "Ecce Mundi Gaudium" speak of the joy and salvation of the world with the birth of a son by a virgin without violence or force. The song praises this royal virgin full of God's grace, who gave birth to a son without the seed of a man. This son is the king who rules over all, and he brings peace to everyone through his providence. The lyrics also mention the rewards and gifts brought by offerings and the guiding star leading to the joy of salvation.
The second stanza speaks of the fear and trembling of King Herod and his people at the news of the son's birth. The sadness of Rachel, who mourned her own children's death, is also mentioned. Despite this grief, the song ends with the repeating of the royal virgin's praises full of God's grace.
Line by Line Meaning
Ecce mundi gaudium
Behold the joy of the world
Ecce salus gentium
Behold the salvation of all peoples
Virgo parit filium
A virgin gives birth to a son
Sine violentia
Without violence
Ave virgo regia
Hail, royal virgin
Dei plena gracia
Full of the grace of God
Natus est de virgine
He is born of a virgin
Sine viri semine
Without the seed of man
Qui mundat a crimine
He cleanses from sin
Rex qui regit omnia
The king who rules over all
Angelus pastoribus
An angel to the shepherds
Natus est in gentibus
Born among the nations
Qui dat pacem omnibus
Who gives peace to all
Sua provedentia
By his providence
Regestria premia
Gifts of the kings
Offerentis varia
Bringing various offerings
Stella ducit previa
A star leads the way
Ad salutis gaudia
To the joy of salvation
Cumnul scira potuit
With a secret plan
De nato rex fremuit
The king raged against his son's birth
E tota gens tremuit
And the whole nation trembled
Christi natalitia
The nativity of Christ
Cum mori per gladios
As Rachel sees her own children's deaths by the sword
Rachel videt proprios
Seeing her own children
Mesta plorat filios
Sadly weeps for her sons
Nulla sont solati
No comfort to be found
Ave virgo regia
Hail, royal virgin
Dei plena gracia
Full of the grace of God
Contributed by Nathan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.