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
Salva Nos
Mediæval Bæbes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Et regina celorum x2
Que pura deum paris
Salva nos, stella maris
Et per rubum signaris
Neciens viri thorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina celorum
O virgo specialis
Salve nos, stella maris
Sis nobis salutaris
Imperatrix celorum
Chorus
Tu mater expers paris
Salve nos, stella maris
Manna celeste paris
Et panem angelorum
Chorus
O parens expers maris
Salve nos, stella maris
Partu non volaris
Paris sanctum sanctorum
Chorus
Celeste manna paris
Salve nos, stella maris
Lux cecis, dux ignaris
Solamen angelorum
Chorus x2
The lyrics to Mediæval Bæbes's song Salva Nos revolve around a plea to the Virgin Mary for salvation and protection. The first line, "Salva nos, stella maris," translates to "Save us, star of the sea." This phrase is repeated multiple times throughout the song, reinforcing the idea that the Virgin Mary is a guiding light for those who are lost or in danger. The line "Que pura deum paris" translates to "Who bore the pure God," referring to the immaculate birth of Jesus.
The chorus of the song repeats the lines "Salva nos, stella maris" and "Et regina celorum," which translates to "And queen of heavens." The Virgin Mary is regarded as a divine and powerful figure in Catholicism, and is often called upon for guidance and protection.
The later verses of the song reference the Virgin Mary's role as a mother and nurturer, with lines such as "Tu mater expers paris" (You, without experience of birth, bore a pure [child]) and "Manna celeste paris" (You provide heavenly manna and the bread of angels). These lines further emphasize the idea of the Virgin Mary as a source of salvation and nourishment.
Overall, the lyrics to Salva Nos paint a picture of the Virgin Mary as a powerful and divine figure who can offer salvation and protection to those in need.
Line by Line Meaning
Salva nos, stella maris
Save us, star of the sea
Et regina celorum
And queen of the heavens
Que pura deum paris
Who bore God in purity
Et per rubum signaris
And was marked through the burning bush
Neciens viri thorum
Without knowledge of man
Chorus:
Chorus:
O virgo specialis
Oh special virgin
Salve nos, stella maris
Save us, star of the sea
Sis nobis salutaris
Be our salvation
Imperatrix celorum
Empress of the heavens
Tu mater expers paris
You who bore without pain
Manna celeste paris
You bring heavenly manna
Et panem angelorum
And the bread of angels
O parens expers maris
Oh parent without experience of the sea
Partu non volaris
In birth, you did not lose your virginity
Paris sanctum sanctorum
You bore the Holy of Holies
Celeste manna paris
You bring the heavenly manna
Lux cecis, dux ignaris
Light of the blind, guide of the ignorant
Solamen angelorum
Comfort of the angels
Chorus x2
Chorus x2
Lyrics © Melodie Der Welt GmbH
Written by: KATHARINE BLAKE, AUDREY EVANS, CLARE RAVEL, CYLINDRA SAPPHIRE, TERESA CASELLA, MARIE FINDLEY, NICOLE FROBUSCH, RUTH GALLOWAY, KAREN LUPTON, CARMEN SCHNEIDER, NICHOLE SLEET, RACHEL VAN ASCH, DP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pedrovek847
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina caelorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina caelorum
Que pura deum paris
Salva nos, stella maris
Et per rubum signaris
Nesciens viri thorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina caelorum
O virgo specialis
Salva nos, stella maris
Sis nobis salutaris
Imperatrix caelorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina caelorum
Tu mater expers paris
Salva nos, stella maris
Manna celeste paris
Et panem angelorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina celorum
O parens expers maris
Salva nos, stella maris
Partu non violaris
Paris sanctum sanctorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina celorum
Celeste manna paris
Salva nos, stella maris
Lux cecis, dux ignaris
Solamen angelorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina caelorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina caelorum
@bobbyjohnston7857
Respect from the Celtic Pagans of Eire. Blessings at this holy time of Yule. Keep your culture strong and alive. Slainte
@ptrck99
Glad to see that so many people from many countries are listening to this. Greetings from Montevideo, Uruguay.
@DarkwaveMistress
I love the harmony their voices create, and the purity of the sound. Art has the power to move us regardless of our spiritual path. True art, like this song, inspires us. I love the Baebes. <3
@HorseGamesOfficial
12 years ago, wow
@joncollins5981
Always beautiful from the girls, I'm Pagan but music is timeless, a Very Blessed Yule
@OldWaysFollower
Peace to you, too. I am heathen myself but still I do hold respect towards Blessed Virgin Mary. Why shouldn't I? And the song is simply EXCELLENT, why quarrel about religion here? Peace and greetings from a Slavic heathen!
@jogould5733
Takes me back to magical times and realms...........
@williammking
Big fan for over 20 years, these babes are so rad!
@OldWaysFollower
Hi, I'm one who follows Slavic Gods - the same Deities that were worshipped by Slavic peoples in the Medieval Northern Europe. Greetings from Poland! :)
@silicononsapphire5102
Go Baebes. Beautiful.