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
Veni Veni
Mediæval Bæbes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Captivum solve Israel
Quit gemit in exilio
Privatus Dei Filio
Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te Israel
Ex hostis tuos ungula
De specu tuos tartari
Educ et antro barathri
Veni, veni, O Oriens
Solare nos adveniens
Noctis depelle nubelas
Disraque noctis tenebras
Veni, Clavis Davidica
Regna reclude caelica
Fac iter tutum nebulas
Et claude vias infernum
Veni, veni, Adonai
Quit populo in Sinai
Legem dedisti vertice
In maiestate gloriae
The song "Veni Veni" by Mediæval Bæbes is a Christmas hymn that has been translated from Latin. The lyrics of the song invoke Emmanuel or Christ, urging him to come and save the people of Israel, who are in bondage and exile. The first verse of the song begins with the line "Veni, veni, Emmanuel", which translates to "Come, come, Emmanuel". The second line, "Captivum solve Israel", means "And free your captive people", while the third line, "Quit gemit in exilio" translates to "Lamenting in exile."
The second verse of the hymn pleads with Jesse, the father of King David, to bless the people and free them from the enemy. The name Jesse is mentioned in the Bible in relation to the Messiah's lineage. The third verse asks for the coming of the Sun, which is a symbol of Christ. It is a metaphorical representation of light overcoming darkness. Finally, the fourth verse invokes the "Clavis Davidica," which means "Key of David". It is a reference to the prophecy in the book of Isaiah that the Messiah would be born from the line of King David. The hymn closes by addressing Adonai, or God, who gave Moses the law on Mount Sinai.
Line by Line Meaning
Veni, veni, Emmanuel
Come, come, Emmanuel
Captivum solve Israel
Free Israel who is held captive
Quit gemit in exilio
Who mourns in exile
Privatus Dei Filio
Who is deprived of the Son of God
Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te Israel
Israel will be born for you
Veni, veni, O Jesse Virgula
Come, come, O Rod of Jesse
Ex hostis tuos ungula
Out of your enemies' claws
De specu tuos tartari
From the depths of Hell
Educ et antro barathri
Bring forth and lead out
Veni, veni, O Oriens
Come, come, O Morning Star
Solare nos adveniens
Brighten our arrival
Noctis depelle nubelas
Drive away the clouds of night
Disraque noctis tenebras
And the darkness of death
Veni, Clavis Davidica
Come, O Key of David
Regna reclude caelica
Unlock the kingdom of Heaven
Fac iter tutum nebulas
Make the misty way safe
Et claude vias infernum
And close off the paths to Hell
Veni, veni, Adonai
Come, come, Adonai
Quit populo in Sinai
Who, on Sinai's mountain
Legem dedisti vertice
Gave the Law to people
In maiestate gloriae
In the glory of majesty
Contributed by Anna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@anastasiaw5622
Veni, Veni Bella
Cum gaudio
Veni, domicello
Iam Pereo.
Veni, veni floreo,
Iam amore virginali,
Veni, veni bella,
Novus novus amor
Est, quo pereo.
Sile, Philumena,
Totus floreo
Surge cantilena
Totus ardeo
Tua me confortat
Promissio,
Tua me deportat
Negatio
Veni, veni floreo,
Iam amore virginali,
Veni, veni bella,
Novus novus amor
Est, quo pereo.
@robinblick9375
My daughter's band. Very proud of her.
@mcburnski
So you should be. They have amazing voices.
@AliceEade-st2yc
Amazing singers and all beautiful not surprised your proud
@mrcheg9046
The singing here is absolutely marvellous. The music sounds as though it were pulled from the heart of Midgard itself, and the voices singing here are like that of godesses. This song truly serves as a reminder to all of native Europe's beauty.
@Neilos-sd6ti
More like olympus,
@chadkuhn555
We are in Midgard.
@Nanyalin
My head is about to explode from Beauty Overload. Amazing version of the classic, great stylization, amazing composition and, basically, an stunning display of talent. Bravo girls, bravissimo.
@cuttlefisch
They are just magnificent.
@HerodTheGreatBloodyMaster
I came here because of the loveliness of Emily Ovenden, but I've even more mesmerized because the atmosphere of the music! Superlative!
@waynewalls5033
They are truly astounding live. Saw them a few years ago at Leicester Cathedral, and before then at the Tabernacle in London, and both times were simply stunning, spellbinding, beautiful. Their talents know no bounds, quite simply these ladies are majestic. Their linguistic skills are mind blowing, and their voices are not of this world. Incredible performers and vocalists.