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
The Undivided
Mediæval Bæbes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Which lightens all the world.
From Me the moon draws silvery beams
And fire fierce loveliness.
For all things that live
Are "the Divided." and that which sits apart, is
"The Undivided."
I penetrate the clay, and lend all shapes
Their living force; I glide into the plant—
Root, leaf, and bloom
For all things that live
Are "the Divided." and that which sits apart, is
"The Undivided."
Becoming vital warmth, I glow in glad, respiring frames, and pass
With outward and inward breath
For all things that live
Are "the Divided." and that which sits apart, is
"The Undivided."
The Mediæval Bæbes' "The Undivided" is a song that celebrates the central life force that connects everything in the universe. The lyrics begin by describing the sun's glory and the moon's silvery beams, all of which come from the same source: the undivided force at the heart of life. The song continues to explore this theme, stating that all things that live are "the Divided," while anything that sits apart from the rest is "The Undivided." This means that every living thing is connected to this central force, while any non-living entity is not.
The song then goes on to describe how this force penetrates the clay, giving shapes their living force, and glides into plants, roots, leaves, and flowers. In other words, it is the life that powers everything we see in the natural world around us. This force then becomes vital warmth, as it glows in glad, respiring frames and passes with outward and inward breath. The song ends with the refrain, that all things that live are "the Divided," and that which sits apart is "The Undivided."
Overall, "The Undivided" is a beautiful ode to life and its interconnectedness. It speaks to the majesty of the natural world and reminds us that we are all part of a larger whole. The song encourages us to appreciate the beauty in everything around us and to embrace our connection to the world.
Line by Line Meaning
From Me shineth the gathered glory of the sun
The sun's brilliance emanates from Me.
Which lightens all the world.
The radiance from Me brightens the universe.
From Me the moon draws silvery beams
The moon's luminosity is because of Me.
And fire fierce loveliness.
I am the origin of the passion and beauty of fire.
For all things that live
Every living being,
Are 'the Divided.' and that which sits apart, is
are fragmented, and the one who remains undivided
'The Undivided.'
is Me.
I penetrate the clay, and lend all shapes
I infuse clay, imparting the power of life to every form.
Their living force; I glide into the plant—
The plants' life comes from Me;
Root, leaf, and bloom
From the tip of the roots to the petals of the flower.
Becoming vital warmth, I glow in glad, respiring frames, and pass
I transform into vital heat, giving warmth to every living being, and restlessly moving
With outward and inward breath
inspiration and exhalation.
Contributed by Chase W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@PeriwinkleSpazz
Didn't care for this song at first, but it grew on me. :3
@AkaiAkumu
Classic/Gothic Metal? D: the krudd?