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
Maiden in the Mor Lay
Mediæval Bæbes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the mor lay
Sevenight fulle
Sevenight fulle
Maiden in the mor lay
In the mor lay
Sevenight fulle and a day
What was hire dring?
The chelde water of the
The chelde water of the
Welle was hire dring
What was hire dring?
The chelde water of the welle-spring
Welle was hire bowr
What was hire bowr?
The rede rose and the
The rede rose and the
Welle was hire bowr
What was hire bowr?
The rede rose and the lilye flour
The lyrics to "Maiden in the Mor Lay" by Mediæval Bæbes are a classic example of Medieval English ballads. The song is about a maiden who lays in the morning, through seven nights and a day. The repetition of the phrase "Maiden in the mor lay" is a common trait of Medieval ballads, and it serves to reinforce the theme and create a haunting melody. The chorus is sung twice, each time followed by two questions about the maiden's surroundings, answered in the same format: "What was hire dring?" and "What was hire bowr?".
The first question is about the maiden's drink, which was the cold water from the chelde or spring. This simple detail serves to create a picture of a peasant girl, who has to fetch her water from a well, something that was common in Medieval times. The second question is about her room or chamber or bowr, which was adorned with a red rose and a lily. These were common flowers used in courtly love poetry, and they reinforce the traditional themes of Medieval ballads, such as the beauty of the maiden and the courtly love that surrounds her.
The lyrics are simple, yet powerfully evocative, creating a sense of nostalgia and longing for a bygone era. The song transports the listeners to a world of knights and troubadours, where love and chivalry were the order of the day. The melody is haunting and repetitive, typical of Medieval ballads, and it serves to reinforce the lyrics' emotional power. Overall, "Maiden in the Mor Lay" is a beautiful example of a Medieval English ballad, showcasing the best of this period's music and poetry.
Line by Line Meaning
Maiden in the mor lay
A young lady lay in the morning
In the mor lay
During the early hours of the morning
Sevenight fulle
For a full week
Sevenight fulle
For a full week
Maiden in the mor lay
A young lady lay in the morning
In the mor lay
During the early hours of the morning
Sevenight fulle and a day
For a week and one day
Welle was hire dring
Her drink was from the well
What was hire dring?
What was her drink?
The chelde water of the
The cool water of the spring
The chelde water of the
The cool water of the spring
Welle was hire dring
Her drink was from the well
What was hire bowr?
What was her bower?
The rede rose and the
The red rose and the
The rede rose and the
The red rose and the
Welle was hire bowr
Her bower was surrounded by
What was hire bowr?
What was her bower?
The rede rose and the lilye flour
The red rose and the lily flower
Contributed by Declan W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.