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
I Am Eve
Mediæval Bæbes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mé ro sáraig Ísu thall
Mé ro thall nem ar mo chloinn
Cóir is mé do-chóid sa crann
Mé Éva, ben Ádaim uill
Mé ro sáraig Ísu thall
Mé ro thall nem ar mo chloinn
Ropa lem rigtheg dom réir
Olc in mithoga rom-thár
Olc in cosc cinad rom-chrin
For-ír! Ni hidan mo lám
Mé Éva, ben Ádaim uill
Mé ro sáraig Ísu thall
Mé ro thall nem ar mo chloinn
Cóir is mé do-chóid sa crann
Mé tuc in n-uball an-úas
Do-chúaid t ar cumang mo chraís
In céin marat-sam re lá
De ní scarat mná re bats
Ní bíad eigredd in cach dú
Ní bíad geimred gaethmar glé
Ní bíad iffern, ní bíad brón
Ní bíad oman, minbad mé
Mé Éva, ben Ádaim uill
Mé ro sáraig Ísu thall
Mé ro thall nem ar mo chloinn
Cóir is mé do-chóid sa crann
Mé Éva, ben Ádaim uill
Mé ro sáraig Ísu thall
Mé ro thall nem ar mo chloinn
Cóir is mé do-chóid sa crann
Mé Éva, ben Ádaim uill
Mé ro sáraig Ísu thall
Mé ro thall nem ar mo chloinn
Cóir is mé do-chóid sa crann
Mé Éva, ben Ádaim uill
Mé ro sáraig Ísu thall
Mé ro thall nem ar mo chloinn
Cóir is mé do-chóid sa crann
Mé Éva, ben Ádaim uill
Mé ro sáraig Ísu thall
Mé ro thall nem ar mo chloinn
Cóir is mé do-chóid sa crann
Mé Éva, ben Ádaim uill
Mé ro sáraig Ísu thall
Mé ro thall nem ar mo chloinn
Cóir is mé do-chóid sa crann
Mé Éva, ben Ádaim uill
Mé ro sáraig Ísu thall
Mé ro thall nem ar mo chloinn
Cóir is mé do-chóid sa crann
Mé Éva, ben Ádaim uill
Mé ro sáraig Ísu thall
Mé ro thall nem ar mo chloinn
Cóir is mé do-chóid sa crann
The song "I Am Eve" by Mediæval Bæbes is sung in Old Irish and is a lamentation by the biblical character of Eve. The lyrics speak of her experiences as the first woman created by God and her subsequent downfall. The song begins with "Mé Éva, ben Ádaim uill," which translates to "I am Eve, Adam's wife," and goes on to say, "Mé ro sáraig Ísu thall," or "I have redeemed Jesus there." This line is a reference to the Christian belief that Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross to redeem humanity's original sin, of which Eve was a part. By saying that she has redeemed Jesus, Eve is showing that she has played a significant role in the salvation of humanity.
The next few lines of the song speak about the tree of knowledge, which is where Eve is said to have eaten the forbidden fruit from. She says, "Mé ro thall nem ar mo chloinn, cóir is mé do-chóid sa crann," which roughly translates to "I have gone to heaven because of my children, it is right that I should go to the tree." Here, Eve is saying that her children's redemption and her own salvation are linked to her decision to eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge. While this act is often seen as a transgression, Eve is claiming agency over her choices and their consequences.
The rest of the song speaks to Eve's experiences as a woman and her hope for a world without suffering, where there is no division between men and women. The final lines of the song state, "Mé Éva, ben Ádaim uill / Mé ro sáraig Ísu thall / Mé ro thall nem ar mo chloinn / Cóir is mé do-chóid sa crann," which are a repetition of the opening lines. This repetition highlights the cyclical nature of history and the importance of remembering one's past in shaping their future.
Line by Line Meaning
Mé Éva, ben Ádaim uill
I am Eve, Adam's wife
Mé ro sáraig Ísu thall
I sought Jesus over there
Mé ro thall nem ar mo chloinn
I found heaven over my children
Cóir is mé do-chóid sa crann
It is just that I go to the tree
Ropa lem rigtheg dom réir
Righteousness is my guide
Olc in mithoga rom-thár
Evil has hindered me
Olc in cosc cinad rom-chrin
Evil has prevented me from clear thought
For-ír! Ni hidan mo lám
So be it! My hand will not hide
Mé tuc in n-uball an-úas
I took the apple up high
Do-chúaid t ar cumang mo chraís
It made my strength weak
In céin marat-sam re lá
But until the day we die
De ní scarat mná re bats
Women will not be parted from their sorrows
Ní bíad eigredd in cach dú
There will be no strife in anyone else
Ní bíad geimred gaethmar glé
There will be no fierce, sharp revenge
Ní bíad iffern, ní bíad brón
There will be no hell, there will be no sadness
Ní bíad oman, minbad mé
There will be no blame, I am innocent
Contributed by Josiah L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
AlexMoby
I close my eyes and I imagine this song performed in a magnificent forest. Simply beautiful !
reemasriganesh
A huge thank you is due to whom can translate this beautiful beautiful song into English! If I know what they're singing, it just makes it that much more exhilarating an experience of listening.
Mad about World Music
I can pretty much imagine ancient Irish/Scottish bards or elves trooping through the forest playing flutes. I always like these kinds of song but in my country it's so hard to find albums like this. thank you. melancholymistress, thanks for posting the lyrics
ranafroggie
This group is so beautiful!! I have a friend who somehow got the Mediaeval Baebes to perform here in the Arizona Ren Fair!!!!
Harry Turner
This is a wonderful group. I really loved the work they did on the soundtrack for the Virgin Queen.
mckfrr
This song gives me the vison of being surrounded by a forest of magical creatures all singing and dancing merrily-folklore. Mesmorizing.
XxFaelinexX
My mom has a signed tambourine of these guys. I saw them live at a fair we had here in england. they rock.
lilmissparadox
Lyrics Mé Éva, ben Ádaim uill Mé ro sáraig Ísu thall Mé ro thall nem ar mo chloinn Cóir is mé do-chóid sa crann (repeated twice) I am Eve, great Adam's wife It is I that outraged Jesus of old It is I that stole Heaven from my children By rights it is I that should have gone upon the tree
ranafroggie
Oh kool!! Sadly I ended up not going for some complicated reasons, but my dad and sister went and recorded like two performances, They sounded amazing! ^.^
Nina C.
SO BEAUTIFUL!!!! Music like these is perfect for Game of Thrones!