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
Infida's Song
Mediæval Bæbes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
N'oserez vous, mon bel ami?
Upon thy Venus that must die?
Je vous enprie, pity me;
N'oserez vous, mon bel, mon bel,
N'oserez vous, mon bel ami?
And see how sad thy Venus lies,
With love in heart, and tears in eyes;
Je vous enprie, pity me;
N'oserez vous, mon bel, mon bel,
N'oserez vous, mon bel ami?
Thy face as fair as Paphos' brooks,
N'oserez vous, mon bel ami?
And wherein Fancy baits her hooks;
Je vous enprie, pity me;
N'oserez vous, mon bel, mon bel,
N'oserez vous, mon bel ami?
Thy cheeks like cherries that do grow
N'oserez vous, mon bel ami?
Amongst the western mounts of snow;
Je vous enprie, pity me;
N'oserez vous, mon bel, mon bel,
N'oserez vous, mon bel ami?
Thy lips vermilion, full of love,
N'oserez vous, mon bel ami?
Thy neck as silver-white as dove;
Je vous enprie, pity me;
N'oserez vous, mon bel, mon bel,
N'oserez vous, mon bel ami?
Thine eyes, like names of holy fires,
N'oserez vous, mon bel ami?
Burn all my thoughts with sweet desires;
Je vous enprie, pity me;
N'oserez vous, mon bel, mon bel,
N'oserez vous, mon bel ami?
Now all thy beauties sting my heart;
N'oserez vous, mon bel ami?
I must die through Cupid's dart;
Je vous enprie, pity me;
N'oserez vous, mon bel, mon bel,
N'oserez vous, mon bel ami?
Infida's Song by Mediæval Bæbes is a song of unrequited love. The lyrics are addressed to Adon, a lover who seems to be indifferent to the singer's feelings. The repetition of the phrase "N'oserez vous, mon bel ami?" which translates to "Dare you not, my handsome friend?" emphasizes the singer's desperation for Adon's attention. The stanza "And see how sad thy Venus lies / With love in heart, and tears in eyes" is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the singer is in a state of emotional turmoil.
The following stanzas describe various aspects of Adon's physical appearance, highlighting his beauty and charm. The use of imagery, such as "Thy face as fair as Paphos' brooks" and "Thy cheeks like cherries that do grow / Amongst the western mounts of snow," is reminiscent of the courtly love tradition. The final stanza is a plea for compassion, as the singer declares that they will "die through Cupid's dart" if their love is not reciprocated.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet Adon, dar'st not glance thine eye
Oh, Adon, do you not dare to look at me?
N'oserez vous, mon bel ami?
Will you not, my handsome friend?
Upon thy Venus that must die?
Will you not look upon me, your Venus, who is dying?
Je vous enprie, pity me;
I beg you, have pity on me;
Thy face as fair as Paphos' brooks,
Your face is as beautiful as the streams of Paphos,
And wherein Fancy baits her hooks;
And it is where imagination lures with its temptations;
Thy cheeks like cherries that do grow
Your cheeks resemble cherries that grow
Amongst the western mounts of snow;
In the midst of the snowy western mountains;
Thy lips vermilion, full of love,
Your lips are full of love and ruby red
Thy neck as silver-white as dove;
Your neck is as white as a dove's feathers;
Thine eyes, like names of holy fires,
Your eyes, akin to the names of sacred fires,
Burn all my thoughts with sweet desires;
Consume all of my thoughts with sweet passion;
Now all thy beauties sting my heart;
Now everything that is beautiful about you causes me pain;
I must die through Cupid's dart;
I am bound to die from Cupid's arrow;
N'oserez vous, mon bel, mon bel,
Will you not, my handsome friend, my handsome friend,
N'oserez vous, mon bel ami?
Will you not, my handsome friend?
Contributed by Landon W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.