Tensions between the band grew during the production in 1970 of their first album, Hark! The Village Wait to the point where they never again worked together after its completion, but the music itself shows no signs of these difficulties. While having a rock sensibility there is a greater sense of the authentic folk tradition than even in the best of Fairport, and a particular beauty arising from the two pairs of voices. The Woods being replaced by admired folk stalwart Martin Carthy, with violinist Peter Knight to widen the musical textures, the group late in 1970 recorded their most admired record Please to see the King. Ten Man Mop followed in 1971, more accomplished but generally felt to be less exciting. The expensive gatefold sleeve swallowed the band's royalties, and was referred to as a tombstone, since Hutchings and Carthy then left, to pursue Hutchings' new vision of a specifically English strand of folk rock with The Albion Band, and Steeleye Mk 2 folded.
However the inclusion of the less celebrated and more rock orientated replacements Rick Kemp and Bob Johnson led to the most commercially successful phase in the band's existence, vocalist Maddy Prior becoming the primary focus of the band, and a run of well received albums, from Below the Salt and Now we Are Six, their first with drummer Nigel Pegrum, to their eighth, and most commercially successful, All Around my Hat, in 1975.
Still active, they have a claim to be one of the longest-lived and perhaps the most commercially successful of all the folk rock bands of the era, thanks to their hit singles Gaudete and All Around My Hat, 3 top 40 albums and even a certified "gold" record with All Around My Hat.
Tim Hart died of lung cancer on 24 December 2009, aged 61.
Gaudette
Steeleye Span Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ete, gaudete
Christus est natus
Ex Maria Virgine
Gaudete
Tempus adest gratiae
Hoc quod optabamus
Devote reddamus
Deus homo factus est
Natura mirante
Mundus renovatus est
A Christo regnante
Ezechielis porta
Clausa pertransitur
Unde Lux est orta
Salus invenitur
Ergo nostra contio
Psallat iam in lustro
Benedicat Domino
Salus Regi nostro
The lyrics to Steeleye Span's song Gaudette are in Latin and are a hymn celebrating the birth of Christ. The opening lines 'Gaudete, gaudete Christus est natus ex Maria Virgine' roughly translate to 'Rejoice, rejoice, Christ is born of the Virgin Mary'. The song is essentially a call to celebrate the season of Advent, which marks the beginning of the Christian liturgical calendar and the preparations for Christmas. The lyrics also reference the fact that the birth of Christ marked the beginning of a new era, as 'Deus homo factus est' (God became man) and 'Mundus renovatus est a Christo regnante' (The world has been renewed by Christ's reign).
The mention of 'Ezechielis porta' (Ezekiel's gate) in the lyrics may refer to the prophetic vision in which Ezekiel saw the 'closed gate', which symbolized the coming of the Messiah. The opening of this gate represents the birth of Christ and the salvation that he brings. The use of Latin in the lyrics was common in religious hymns at the time, and added to the sacred and formal tone of the piece. Overall, the song is a joyful and uplifting celebration of the birth of Christ and the hope that it brings to the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Gaud
Let us rejoice
Ete, gaudete
Rejoice, rejoice
Christus est natus
Christ is born
Ex Maria Virgine
Of the Virgin Mary
Gaudete
Rejoice
Tempus adest gratiae
The time of grace is here
Hoc quod optabamus
What we desired
Carmina laetitiae
Songs of joyfulness
Devote reddamus
Let us give thanks
Deus homo factus est
God is made man
Natura mirante
Nature is astounded
Mundus renovatus est
The world is renewed
A Christo regnante
With Christ's reign
Ezechielis porta
The gate of Ezekiel
Clausa pertransitur
Is passed through though it is closed
Unde Lux est orta
Whence the light is born
Salus invenitur
Salvation is found
Ergo nostra contio
Therefore let our gathering
Psallat iam in lustro
Sing praises now in a shining place
Benedicat Domino
Let us bless the Lord
Salus Regi nostro
Our Savior, the king
Writer(s): Maddy Prior, Tim Hart, Peter Knight, Robert Johnson, Rick Kemp
Contributed by Eliana R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@moiraspeed6356
This lady has an amazing beautiful voice
@juniper5438
Wonderful memories of being in the back of the Austin Allegro listening to this, one of my Mum's favourites. She passed away earlier this year and listening to Steeleye Span always makes me feel like she's nearby singing along with me. Thank you for this wonderful live recording.
@Neb2117
Back in early 1970’s I was listening to the likes of Black Sabbath, Mountain, Hendrix, Cream, et al., when I found myself sitting in a crowd anxiously awaiting the headliner Jethro Tull. Suddenly the lights went down and music unlike anything I had ever heard filled the air and my love of traditional English, Scottish, Irish, and French folk music was born. I became mesmerized, almost transfixed by the sound as it washed over me. The lead singer danced about the stage in a long, beautiful, flowing dress that seemed almost hypnotic. Thank you Steeleye Span for educating my ear and sending me along to ensembles such as The Baltimore Consort, Quink, and many others.
@lordmorley7561
This is one of the most beautiful Christmas hymns ever written, and the way the group creates the music with only their voices is absolutely astounding . I listen to this every Christmastime , and I am in awe every single time.
@smallfeet4581
I've been trying to find out this song for a long long time , first heard it in 70s maybe , but never knew what it was called just knew it was Maddy prior , now after searching again and down to the last song in the list I've found it , yes she has a great voice , pity these songs are not played more on the radio with a station , I'd maybe listen more to the radio lol or better still a channel on TV for folkies
@KittyStarlight
@small feet Well, YouTube channels are good too, right?
Get it on a CD and you can carry around a CD player with you. (Or a smartphone but some people do tend to prefer CDs, tapes, etc.)
@KittyStarlight
Lord Morley: Why only at Christmas? ^___^ I think any time of year is good. ^___^
@lordmorley7561
I beg your pardon @Kitty Starlight, I should have said I listen to it mostly at Christmas time, every day for weeks on the run up to Christmas in fact, and also at several junctures throughout the year, every time annoying my wife by singing along to the chorus. I would sing along to the verses if my tongue and mind could keep up with the pace of the words, however I have not been able to master that skill. Regards, L M
@c0neyisland
Yep, like you, I make my way here every Christmas eve to listen to one of the best Christmas songs ever!
@chansonpapillon2391
Never heard of Jesus until I was 10...Never heard this beautiful song until today at 70. Thanks God, I'm learning :)