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
Love Me Broughte
Mediæval Bæbes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And love me wroughte
Man, to be thy fere
Love me fedde
And love me ledde
And love me lettet here
Love me slou
And love me layde on bere
Love is my pes
For love I ches
Man to buyen dere
Ne dred thee nought
I have thee sought
Bothen day and night
To haven thee
Well is me
I have thee wonnen in fight
The lyrics of Mediæval Bæbes's song Love Me Broughte are a beautiful representation of the power of love. The singer first describes how love brought and wrought man to be with their partner. The words "fere" and "ches" are more archaic words for "companion" and "chose," respectively. Love also fed and led the singer, but also "lettet" or prevented them from being elsewhere. This line suggests that love has the power to keep someone rooted in one place or with one person.
The second verse is more melancholic, as the singer describes how love can slow and weigh a person down. The line "love me layde on bere" is a reference to laying one out for burial, suggesting that the weight of love can be so heavy it feels like death. Love is also described as the source of the singer's "pes," or peace, but it has come at a cost. The phrase "Man to buyen dere" roughly translates to "man to buy at a dear cost," emphasizing the price paid for love.
The final verse is an assurance to the singer's partner that they have sought them out diligently, day and night. The reward for this effort is immense, "well" being the opposite of ill, so "well is me" means "I am well," or "fortunate." The singer declares that they have "wonnun" their partner in "fight" which in Old English could mean both physical battle or metaphorical struggle, suggesting that the singer believes they have worked hard to win the love of their partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Love me broughte
I came into existence because of love
And love me wroughte
Everything that I am is because of love
Man, to be thy fere
I am here to be your companion, human
Love me fedde
Love nourished me
And love me ledde
Love guided me
And love me lettet here
And love kept me here with you
Love me slou
Love made me slow down
And love me drou
And love made me endure
And love me layde on bere
And love made me lie on a stretcher
Love is my pes
Love is my peace
For love I ches
I chose to be here because of love
Man to buyen dere
To be with you, human, at any cost
Ne dred thee nought
Don't be afraid
I have thee sought
I have searched for you
Bothen day and night
Both day and night
To haven thee
To have you
Well is me
I am glad
I have thee wonnen in fight
I have won you through struggle
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: KATHARINE BLAKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind