The Mediæval Bæbes is an English ensemble of female musicians founded by Mi… Read Full Bio ↴The Mediæval Bæbes is an English ensemble of female musicians founded by Miranda Sex Garden member Katharine Blake in London in 1996, featuring some of her MSG cohorts as well as other friends who share her love of medieval music. The lineup often rotates from album to album, and ranges from 6to 12 members.
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
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
In The Bleak Midwinter
Mediæval Bæbes Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'In The Bleak Midwinter' by these artists:
Aled Jones In the bleak mid-winter frosty wind made moan Earth stood ha…
Aled Jones English Session Orchestra & Libera In the bleak mid-winter In the bleak mid-winter Frosty win…
Allison Crowe In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan Earth stood har…
Andrew Carwood & St. Paul's Cathedral Choir In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan Earth stood ha…
Angelo Kelly & Family In the bleak midwinter, icy wind made moan Earth stood hard…
Annie Lennox In the bleak mid-winter Frosty wind made moan Earth stood ha…
Anthony Way (treble)/ The Choir of St. Paul's Cathedral /John Scott In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan Earth stood ha…
Armonico Consort & Christopher Monks "In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan Earth stood h…
Ashley Serena In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan Earth stood har…
Blake In the bleak midwinter frost wind made moan Earth stood hard…
Bryn Terfel In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood h…
Camilla Kerslake In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan, earth stood h…
Charlie Landsborough In the bleak mid winter Frosty winds made moan Earth as…
Choir of King's College Cambridge Stephen Cleobury Hugo Herman-Wilson & Douglas Tang In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan Earth stood har…
Choir of King’s College, Cambridge In the bleak mid-winter Frosty wind made moan, Earth stood h…
Choir of Westminster Cathedral In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan, Earth stood ha…
Christina Rossetti In the bleak midwinter, Frosty wind made moan, Earth stood…
Crash Test Dummies In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan Earth stood har…
Crowe Allison In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan Earth stood har…
Cyndi Lauper In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan Earth stood har…
Dan Fogelberg In the bleak mid-winter, the frosty wind did moan The earth…
Daughters of St. Paul In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan Earth stood ha…
David Archuleta In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind may moan Earth stood har…
Divers / Loreena McKennitt In the bleak mid-winter frosty winds made moan Earth stood h…
Ellen Ives On Harp W/ Ensemble In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan Earth stood har…
Franz Liszt Gustav Holst Carolyne M. Taylor In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood …
Freya Ward In the Bleak Midwinter Frosty wind made moan; Earth stood ha…
Gabrielle Aplin In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan Earth stood har…
Gregorian In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood…
Gretchen Peters In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan Earth stood h…
High Street Hymns In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan Earth stood har…
Indigo Girls In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood h…
Indigo Girls (Holiday) In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood …
Jacob Collier Ooh (Ah) In the bleak midwinter frosty wind may blow. Earth…
James Taylor In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood h…
Jamie Cullum In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan Earth stood ha…
Jane Siberry In the bleak mid-winter Frosty wind made moan Earth stood …
Jars of Clay In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan Earth stood ha…
Jazz Morley In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, earth stood h…
Jerry Douglas In the bleak mid-winter frosty winds made moan Earth stood h…
Jones Aled In the bleak mid-winter frosty wind made moan Earth stood ha…
Julie Andrews In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan, Earth stood…
Keith & Kristyn Getty And there were shepherds Living out in the fields nearby Kee…
Kinfolk 9 In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood h…
Loreena McKennitt In the bleak mid-winter frosty winds made moan Earth stood h…
Marika Hackman In the bleak midwinter, frosty winds made moan Earth stood h…
Military Wives In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood h…
Mindy Gledhill In the bleak mid-winter Frosty wind made moan Earth stood ha…
Mormon Tabernacle Choir In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan, Earth stood…
Moya Brennan In the bleak midwinter frosty wind made morn Earth stood ha…
Natalie Cole & Mormon Tabernacle Choir In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan, Earth stood…
Paul Colman Trio In the bleak midwinter, frosty winds made moan Earth stood …
Ray Conniff & The Singers In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan, Earth stood ha…
Ray Hamilton Orchestra and Choir In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan, Earth stood ha…
Reed & Christie In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan Earth stood har…
Royal College of Music Chamber Choir and Brass Ensemble In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan Earth stood ha…
Sarah Brightman In the bleak midwinter Frost wind made moan Earth stood hard…
Sarah Brightman (Holiday) In the bleak midwinter Frost wind made moan Earth stood ha…
Sissel In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan, Earth stood…
Smith & Burrows In the bleak midwinter Stormy winds may blow Earth stood har…
St Paul's Cathedral Choir In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan Earth stood ha…
Steeleye Span In the bleak midwinter, frosty winds made moan Earth stood …
Steven Curtis Chapman In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan Earth stood har…
Susan Boyle In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan Earth stood ha…
The Albion Band In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood h…
The Cantorum Choir In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan, Earth stood ha…
The Choir Of St. Paul's Cathedral - Dr. J. Dykes Bower Organ: Harry Gabb In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan Earth stood ha…
The Choir Of Westminster Abbey In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan, Earth stood h…
The Choir Of Westminster Cathedral In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan, Earth stood ha…
The Jacks In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan Earth stood har…
The London Chamber Orchestra In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan Earth stood h…
The Lower Lights In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan Earth stood hig…
The Moody Blues In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind may blow Earth stood har…
The Moody Blues (Holiday) In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind may blow Earth stood h…
The Singers - Minnesota Choral Artists Abbie Betinis & Matthew Culloton In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan, Earth stood ha…
The St. Olaf Choir Anton Armstrong In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan Earth stood ha…
Traditional In the bleak midwinter, Frosty wind made moan, Earth stood…
Trevor Moss & Hannah-Lou In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan Earth stood har…
Westminster Cathedral Choir In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan, Earth stood ha…
Worcester Cathedral Choir In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood h…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Mediæval Bæbes:
Adam Lay Ibounden Adam lay inbounden Bounden in a bond Foure thousand winter T…
Adult Lullaby Lollay, lollay, little child Why wepestou so sore Nedes …
ah si moine Ah si mon moine voulait danser Ah si mon moine voulait…
Alba Reis Glorios, erais lums e clartatz. Deus poderos, sehner si…
All for Love of One I must go walk the wood so wild And wander here…
All Turns to Yesterday I have wist, sin I couthe meen That children hath by…
An Adult Lullaby Lollay, lollay, little child Why wepestou so sore Nedes mo…
Aria I have wist, sin i couthe meen, That children hath by…
As I Lay Upon a Night lullay lullay la lullay my dere moder lullay as i lay up…
At a Springe-Wel As a springe-wel under a thorn There was bote of bale,…
Averil When the nightegale singes, And the wodes waxen grene: Lef…
Away My lefe is faren in a lond Alas! why is he…
Beatrice O anima coctese mantoana Di cui la foma ancor nel…
Blow Northern Wind Blow, northerne wind Send thou me my sweting Blow, northerne…
C'est la Fin C'est la fin quoigue l'on die j'amerai Cella guise en null…
Care Away All that I may swink or swet, My wife it will…
Clasp Of A Lion Bless those wonderful nights, and best of all Saturdays. If…
Come My Sweet Come my swete, come my flour Come my culver, myn owne…
Coventry Carol Lully, lullay, thou little tiny child By, by, lully, lulla…
Cruel Sister There lived a lady by the North Sea shore Lay the…
Cry of the Garb Gáir na Gairbe glaídbinne Glaídes re tosach tuinne; Rátha …
Desert Rose When the desert sand blows softly to the end And the…
Dianae Dum Diane vitrea sero lampas oritur, et a fratris rosea l…
Dies Irae Dies iræ! dies illa solvet sæclum in favilla, teste David …
Dringo Bell Hum, ha, dringo bell Hum, ha, dringo bell Hum, ha, dringo …
E volentieri Lyrics (14th century Italian) Translation Io mi son giovinet…
Ecce Mundi Gaudium Ecce mundi gaudium Ecce salus gentium Virgo parit filium Sin…
Erthe Upon Erthe Erthe out of erthe is wonderly wroghte Erthe hase geten one…
Foweles in the Frith Foweles in the frith The fisses in the flod And I mon…
Gaudete Gaudete, gaudete Christus est natus Ex Maria virginae gaudet…
Glass Window Through the glass window shines the sun Through the glass wi…
Golden Bells hear the mellow wedding bells golden bells what a world of…
How Death Comes Wanne mine ehnen misten And mine heren sisses And mine nosen…
I Am Eve Mé Éva, ben Ádaim uill Mé ro sáraig Ísu thall…
I Sing of a Maiden I sing of a maiden that is makeless King of all…
Infida's Song Sweet Adon, dar'st not glance thine eye N'oserez vous, mon …
Invocation By the moon-queen's mystic light By the hush of holy night …
Isabella Io Isabella danzando ne prati Verdi della primavera Girando …
Jennet's Song Now the light is wearing thin (Bless the day, bless the…
Kilmeny kilmeny kilmeny where have you been? lang hae we sought bai…
kinderley Kinderly is now my coming into this world with teres and…
Kinderly Kinderly is now my coming Into this werld with teres and…
L'amour de moi L'amour de moi, s'y est enclose Dedans un jolie jardinet…
La belle dame sans merci I met a lady in the meads Full beautiful, a faery's…
Lanquan Li Jorn Lanquan li jorn son lonc en may M'es belhs dous chans…
Laude novella Laude novella sia cantata A l'alto donna encoronata Fresca …
Lenten Ys Come Lenten ys come with love to toune With blossom and with…
Lhiannan Shee O Lhiannan Shee! Ta mee clashtyn kinjagh T'ou geamagh orrym…
Lo Here My Heart O! Mankinde Have in they minde My passion smert And thou sha…
Love Me Broughte Love me broughte And love me wroughte Man, to be thy fere Lo…
Mad Song So wild winds weep and the night is so cold come-hither sl…
Maiden in the Mor Lay Maiden in the mor lay In the mor lay Sevenight fulle Seve…
Märk Hur Vår Skugga Märk hur vår skugga, märk, Movitz mon frère inom ett mörker…
Miracle Behold a wonder here - Love hath receiv'd his sight, Which…
Miri It Is Miri it is while summer ilast With fugheles son Oc…
Miseria Nomine Miseria Nomine Benedicta [...]…
My Lady Sleeps Stars of the summer night Far in yon azure deep, Hide, hid…
Now Springes the Spray Mediaeval Baebes - Now Springes The Spray Now springes the …
Now welcom somer Now welcom sumer, with thy sonne softe That hast this…
Omnes gentes plaudite (The Drinking Song) E saw miny briddes seten on a tree He token her…
Palästinalied Aller êrst lebe ich mir werde Sît mîn sündic ouge siht Daz…
Passing Thus Alone Passing thus alone, through the silent forest Many a griev…
Pearl The dubberment dere of down and dales Of wode and water…
Phantom Omne genus demoniorum, cecorum claudorum, sive confusorum, …
Quan Vey La Lauzeta Quan vey la lauzeta mover De joy sas alas contral rai, Que…
Queen And Huntress Queen and huntress, chaste and fair, Now the sun is laid…
Return of the Birds Laetabundus rediit Avium concentus Ver iocundum prodiit Gaud…
Salva Nos Salva nos, stella maris Et regina celorum x2 Que pura deum …
Salve virgo virginum Salve virgo virginum Salve sancta parens Concepisti dominum …
San'c Fuy Belha Ni Prezada San'c fuy belha ni prezada Ar sui d'aut en bas tornada Qu'…
Say It's Not So My care is like my shadow Laid bare beneath the sun It…
Scarborough Fayre Are you going to Scarborough Fayre? Parsley Sage Rosemary a…
She Moved Through The Fayre My young love said to me, My mother won't mind And me…
She Walks In Beauty She walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and…
Slay Me Suddenly Your yen two woll sle me sodenly! I may the beute…
So Spricht das Leben So sayeth life, the world is mine The flowers that…
Spiriti Oh, maladeto an dia mo via di qua Giacche specdo I…
Star of the Sea Of on that is so fair and bright, Velud maris stella, Bright…
Summerisle In the woods there grew a tree A fine, fine tree…
Sunrise sing all ye joyful now sing ye together the doubt of…
Suscipe flos florem take thou this rose o rose since love’s own flower it…
Swete Sone Swete sone, reu on me And breste out of thy bondes For…
Tam Lin What gar's ye pu' the rose Janet What gars ye break…
Temptasyon Agan Tas-ny, us yn nef, Benygys re bo dha Hanow,…
Temptasyon - Agan Tas-ny, us yn nef, Benygys re bo dha Hanow, Redheffo dh…
The Blacksmiths Swart smeked smithes, smatered with smoke, Drive me to deth…
The Circle of the Lustful Noi leggiavamo un giorno diletto Di lancialotto come amor l…
The Coventry Carol Lullay, Thou little tiny Child, By, by, lully, lullay. Lulla…
The Holly & The Ivy The holly and the ivy, When they are both full grown Of…
The Lament O thou pale orb that silent shines While care-untroubled mo…
The Rose All night by the rose The rose I lay Darf ich…
The Rose-Bud Queen of Fragrance, Lovely Rose, The Beauties of thy Leaves…
The Shepherd's Song Come live with me and be my love And we will…
The Snake Era vn ortolano byen simpre e syn mal En el mes…
The Sour Grove Sawden awdl, sidan ydiw Sêm fach, len ar gont wen…
The Undivided From Me shineth the gathered glory of the sun Which lighte…
The Virgin Queen My care is like my shadow Laid bare beneath the sun It…
The Woods and the Rivers Are Silent Tacciono i boschi e i fiumi E 'l mar senza…
The Work of the Lord halleluia halleluia dies eire jesu halleluia halleluia dies …
This Ay Nicht This ay nicht, this ay nicht Every nicht and all Fire and…
Till a' the Seas Gang Dry my luve is like a red red rose that's newly sprung…
Timor Mortis Conturbat Me I that in heill was and gladnèss Am trublit now with…
To the One a celuy que pluys eyme en monde of alle tho that…
Trovommi Amor Tempo non mi parea da far riparo contra colpi d'Amor: però…
Under the Willow Tree Here upon my true love's grave, Shall the barren flowers be…
Undrentide Befell so is the comessing of May When mirry and…
Veni coronaberis The most worthye she is in towne He that seith…
Veni Veni Veni, veni, Emmanuel Captivum solve Israel Quit gemit in e…
Veni Veni Bella Veni, Veni Bella Cum gaudio Veni, domicello Iam Pereo. …
Verbum Caro Verbum caro factum est de virgine Verbum caro factum est…
Waylaway Mediaeval Baebes - Waylaway Yfele yer hert me to-teneth It …
When Thy Turuf is Thy Tour When the turuf is thy tour And thy put is thy…
Yonder Lea o wert thou in the cauld blast on yonder lea on…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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Raizel M
Beautiful. This song has special meaning for me. My Dad was a choir singer in our church for years. One particular year he managed to convince me to audition for Christmas Choir. I was accepted and those three months of going to evening rehearsal together were very special despite my finding this song very difficult for my contralto voice. I complained about it constantly for the first month until one evening, on our way home, Dad told me that for some odd reason he had come to feel a certain affinity for the words to the song and found them rather comforting. Needless to say, I stopped complaining and started thinking about what I was singing instead of how I was singing it. Christmas was spectacular that year and everyone at church raved about the choir. To be honest, I don't recall any of the other songs the choir sang that year, only this one. We had no way of knowing this would end up being Dad's last Christmas Choir performance. He died of Colon Cancer in mid-July of the following Summer. In my mind this song has become "our" song in a very special way. I miss you, Dad.
River
Oh That’s very sad I hope your father has a good life up there
HerbmamaSujai at Peaceful Wellness
Thank you for sharing this story. God bless you.
Christine Valentor
OH, what a very touching story! Thank you for sharing that. Sorry to hear of your loss, but glad that you have a special memory with this song. I think the lyrics and melody are both beautiful. Happy Holidays to you!
Christopher Sparkes
Gorgeous!!
EditorOfSL
I never used to like this song, but since hearing the Baebes sing it, I’ve come to love it.