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 welcom somer
Mediæval Bæbes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That hast this wintres weders over-shaker
And driven awey the longe nightes blake!
Seynt Valentyn, that art ful hy on lofte
Thus singen smale foules for thy sake
Now welcom sumer, with thy sonne softe
That hast this wintres weders over-shaker
Wel han they cause for to gladen ofte
Sith ech of hem recovered hath his make
Ful blisful (may) thay singen whan they wake
The lyrics to the Mediæval Bæbes' song "Now welcom somer" are a joyous invitation for the arrival of summer. The first line of the song, "Now welcom sumer, with thy sonne softe" is a greeting to summer, along with its soft sun. The second line, "That hast this wintres weders over-shaker" means that summer has shaken off the cold winter weather and is welcoming everyone warmly. The following line talks about how summer has "driven away the longe nightes blake," which means that the extended darkness of the winter is gone, and the warmth and light of summer is here.
The next line refers to Saint Valentyn, who is celebrated on February 14th. The line says "Seynt Valentyn, that art ful hy on lofte," meaning that Saint Valentyn is high on the pedestal of people's emotions on this joyous occasion. The final line of the verse, "Thus singen smale foules for thy sake," talks about the birds singing sweetly for Saint Valentyn.
The second verse is a repetition of the first verse, with some changes in lyrics. It also talks about the ecstasy of summer’s arrival and the excitement of the small birds who have found their mates in the season. The line, "Ful blisful (may) thay singen whan they wake," means that the birds wake up and sing joyously.
Overall, the song is an ode to summer, a season of renewal, joy, and happiness. The coming of summer is met with open hearts and enthusiastic spirits, and those who appreciate the beauty of nature celebrate it with the arrival of the birds, their songs, and the bright sunshine.
Line by Line Meaning
Now welcom sumer, with thy sonne softe
Welcome, gentle summer, with your soft sun
That hast this wintres weders over-shaker
You have shaken the winter weather away
(And driven awey the longe nightes blake!)
And driven away the long, dark nights
Wel han they cause for to gladen ofte
They have good reason to be glad
Sith ech of hem recovered hath his make
Since each of them has found their mate
Ful blisful (may) thay singen whan they wake
They sing joyfully when they wake up
Contributed by Nathan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.