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

Now Springes the Spray
Mediæval Bæbes Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Mediaeval Baebes - Now Springes The Spray

Now springes the spray
All for love I am so seek
That slepen I ne may

Als I me rode this endre day
O' my pleyinge

Seih I whar a litel may
Began to singe
"The clot him clinge!
Way as him I' love-longinge
Shall libben ay!"

Son I herde that mirye note
Thider I drogh I fonde hire
In an herber swot
Under a bogh
With joye enough
Son I asked, "Thou mirue may
Why singes tou ay?"

Than answerde that maiden swote
Midde wordes fewe
"My lemman me haves bihot
Of love trewe
He changes anewe

Yiif I may, it shall him rewe
By this day!"

Overall Meaning

The song "Now Springes the Spray" by Mediæval Bæbes, is a beautiful song that speaks about love and longing. The first line of the song, "Now springes the spray," can be interpreted as the arrival of spring, a season associated with rejuvenation and rebirth. The singer expresses their sense of longing, declaring that they cannot sleep due to being so "seek," or sick, with love. They then recount a time when they heard a melody from a "litel may," or a young maid who began to sing. This experience ultimately leads them to a conversation with the maid, during which she expresses her own sense of longing and heartbreak. She shares that her "lemman," or lover, has promised her "love trewe," or true love, but has since changed his mind. The song ends with the maid wishing upon him a sense of regret over his decision.

The lyrics of "Now Springes the Spray" are poetic and laden with symbolism. The singer and the maid both desire something that they cannot have. While the singer is unable to sleep because of their longing, the maid is heartbroken because her lover has broken his promise. There is a sense of sorrow and loss running throughout the song, including in the words "it shall him rewe" which can be interpreted as "he will regret it." The use of nature imagery, such as "springes the spray," "herber swot," and "bogh," adds to the sense of rebirth and hope while also juxtaposing it with the sadness and pain that the singer and maid are experiencing.

Line by Line Meaning

Now springes the spray
The plants are sprouting and blooming as spring has arrived

All for love I am so seek
I am deeply in love and the longing for my beloved has made me sick

That slepen I ne may
I cannot sleep because of the overwhelming thoughts of love

Als I me rode this endre day
As I was riding out this morning

O' my pleyinge
While enjoying myself

Seih I whar a litel may
I saw a young maiden

Began to singe
Startled to hear her singing

"The clot him clinge!
"May true love bind us together!

Way as him I' love-longinge
So that I may live in love with him forever

Shall libben ay!"
Our love shall last an eternity

Son I herde that mirye note
Then I heard her sweet melody