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
How Death Comes
Mediæval Bæbes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And mine heren sisses
And mine nosen coldet
And mine tunge foldet
And mine rude slaket
And mine lippes blaken
And my muth grenet
And my spotel rennet
And my herte grisset
And mine hinden bivien
And mine fet stivien
Al to late, al to late
Wanne mine ehnen misten
And mine heren sisses
And mine nosen coldet
And mine tunge foldet
And mine rude slaket
And mine lippes blaken
And my muth grenet
And my spotel rennet
And my her risset
And my herte grisset
And mine hinden bivien
And mine fet stivien
Al to late, al to late
Wanne the bere is ate a gate
Thane I schel flutte
From bedde to flora
From flora to here
From here to bere
From bere to putte
And te putte fordet
Al to late, al to late
Thane lyd minehus uppe mine nose
Of al this world ne give I it a pese
The lyrics of Mediæval Bæbes’ song How Death Comes are a reflection on the inevitable end that awaits everyone. The song describes the physical changes that occur in a person’s body before they die, such as their eyes becoming misty, ears growing cold, lips turning black, heart growing cold, and so on. The lyrics suggest that no one can escape death, no matter how hard they try or how late they realize it. The message of the song is that we should accept our mortality and prepare for the end, because it will come, whether we want it to or not.
In the song, the singer describes how their body will decay after death, moving through various stages from bed to floor to coffin and eventually to the grave. The lyrics suggest that death is a lonely and final journey, and the singer must face it alone. The tone of the song is somber and reflective, as the singer contemplates their own mortality and the fragility of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Wanne mine ehnen misten
When my eyes become dim
And mine heren sisses
And my hearing weakens
And mine nosen coldet
And my nose grows cold
And mine tunge foldet
And my tongue falters
And mine rude slaket
And my thirst is unquenched
And mine lippes blaken
And my lips turn pale
And my muth grenet
And my mouth dries up
And my spotel rennet
And my saliva runs out
And my her risset
And my hair grows stiff
And my herte grisset
And my heart weakens
And mine hinden bivien
And my legs grow weak
And mine fet stivien
And my feet become rigid
Al to late, al to late
Too late, too late
Wanne the bere is ate a gate
When the corpse is at the gate
Thane I schel flutte
Then I shall struggle
From bedde to flora
From bed to floor
From flora to here
From floor to hearth
From here to bere
From hearth to corpse
From bere to putte
From corpse to grave
And te putte fordet
And into the grave I go
Thane lyd mine hus uppe mine nose
Then my house will lie upon my nose
Of al this world ne give I it a pese
Of all this world, I won't give it a piece
Contributed by Blake D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.