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
Temptasyon -
Mediæval Bæbes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Benygys re bo dha Hanow,
Redheffo dha wlascor,
Dha voth re bo gwres,
Y′n nor kepar hag y'n nef.
Ro dhyn-ny hedhyuUs ow camwul er agan py-ny;
Ha na wra agan gorra yn temptasyon
Mes delyrf ny dyworth drok.
Ha′n gallos,
Ha'n gordhyans
Ys vyken ha bynary.
The lyrics to Mediæval Bæbes's song Temptasyon are in Cornish, a dialect of the Brythonic language spoken in Cornwall, England. The song is about human temptation and how it can distract people from their true purpose. The first verse talks about heaven and how it is a place to aspire to. The rest of the song speaks of temptation and how it can lead people away from the path they should be on.
The second verse acknowledges that temptation is all around us and it is easy to stray from our goals. The singer admits that they have strayed from their path before, but they will not do so again. They will resist temptation and stay on their rightful journey. The final line of the verse states that they will not give in to evil, implying that temptation is something that can lead people to do bad things.
Overall, the song is a cautionary tale about the dangers of temptation and the importance of staying true to one's beliefs and values. It is a reminder that the path to success may not always be easy, but it is worth it in the end if you can resist the temptations that might lead you astray.
Line by Line Meaning
Agan Tas-ny, us yn nef,
Our Father who art in heaven,
Benygys re bo dha Hanow,
Hallowed be thy Name,
Redheffo dha wlascor,
Thy kingdom come,
Dha voth re bo gwres,
Thy will be done,
Y′n nor kepar hag y'n nef.
On earth as it is in heaven.
Ro dhyn-ny hedhyu
Give us this day
Us ow camwul er agan py-ny;
Our daily bread;
Ha na wra agan gorra yn temptasyon
And forgive us our trespasses
Mes delyrf ny dyworth drok.
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
Rag dhysoiy yu an wlascor,
And lead us not into temptation,
Ha′n gallos,
But deliver us
Ha'n gordhyans
From evil
Ys vyken ha bynary.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Writer(s): [traditional], Emily Ovenden, Katharine Blake, Stephen Yates
Contributed by Carson J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Smood47
My favorite Medieval baebes song ever. Open another window and search for rainymood and then listen to this video with the rain in the background. This is the ultimate song for rain+storms!
@poppybright6695
Without a doubt this is the most beautiful, unique, haunting, wonderful song I have ever heard. It is magical in every way. Many, many thanks.
@cweatherhill
And sung in Cornish, too. Doesn't our ancient language lend itself beautifully to song?
@marymac1607
Most of their songs make me cry, but in a good way!
@CristianLorenzutti
So, 240p, we meet again.
@VespertilioGiganticus
7 years ago
@AStarAlmost
I ADORE this kind of music!!! I thank my Irish, Scottish and British blood for helping me love this kind of music. Just to clear the air for all those different religions, I say, to each their own. What religions we're brought up in, will never change. Nor will we ever change who we are, and what we have in mind of what we want. I, for one, am NOT against any race, religion, or even mixed marriages. I mean, love is love. Sometimes it can't be ignored. Sorry. Like I said, to each their own.
@jamiegoddard562
Haunting and beautiful if there are angels they sound like the mediaeval baebes
@Draigette
Very beautiful song. Well done, ladies.
@docbob5827
J' ai l'impression d'entendre la voix des Anges 🙏🏻