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
Swete Sone
Mediæval Bæbes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And breste out of thy bondes
For me thinket that I see
Thoru Bothen thin bondes
Nailes driven into the tree
So reufuliche thu honges
Now is betre that I flee
And lett alle these londes
Swete sone, thy faire face
Droppet all on blode
And thy body downward
Is bounded to the rode
How may thy modress hert
Tholen so swete fode
That blessed was of alle born
And best of alle gode
How may thy modress hert
Tholen so swete fode
That blessed was of alle born
And best of alle gode
Swete sone, reu on me
And bring me out of this live
For me thinket that I see
Thy deth, it neyhet swithe
Thy feet nailed to the tree
Now may I no more thrive
For this werld withouten thee
Ne shall me maken blithe
The lyrics of Mediæval Bæbes's song 'Swete Sone' depict the suffering of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, as she watches her son on the cross. She pleads with her son to show mercy on her and break free of his bonds. She witnesses her son's agony as she sees the nails driven into the tree, and she cannot take the pain of watching her son suffer. She asks her son how she can bear to see him go through such agony as he is the Son of God and the best of all good.
Mary's heart is breaking as she sees her son's suffering, even though he is the one to save humanity. She wonders how she can bear to watch her son go through these trials, having been blessed among all women. She asks her son to release her from this life as she sees his death approaching. She sees that his feet are nailed to the tree and knows that she cannot carry on without him.
Overall, the song depicts the pain and sorrow that Mary must have experienced during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is a touching portrait of the love between a mother and a son, even in the face of tremendous suffering.
Line by Line Meaning
Swete sone, reu on me
Dear son, have mercy on me
And breste out of thy bondes
Break out of your chains
For me thinket that I see
Because I believe that I see
Thoru Bothen thin bondes
Through both of your bonds
Nailes driven into the tree
Nails driven into the tree
So reufuliche thu honges
You hang so pitifully
Now is betre that I flee
Now it's better for me to flee
And lett alle these londes
And leave all these lands
Swete sone, thy faire face
Dear son, your beautiful face
Droppet all on blode
Dripping with blood
And thy body downward
And your body hanging down
Is bounded to the rode
Is bound to the cross
How may thy modress hert
How can your mother's heart
Tholen so swete fode
Endure such sweet food
That blessed was of alle born
That was blessed above all others born
And best of alle gode
And the best of all good
Swete sone, reu on me
Dear son, have mercy on me
And bring me out of this live
And bring me out of this life
For me thinket that I see
Because I believe that I see
Thy deth, it neyhet swithe
Your death is approaching quickly
Thy feet nailed to the tree
Your feet nailed to the tree
Now may I no more thrive
Now I can no longer prosper
For this werld withouten thee
For this world without you
Ne shall me maken blithe
Will not make me happy
Contributed by Ruby S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.