Adam lay ybounden

Adam lay ybounden

Adam lay ybounden is a Middle English macaronic carol that dates back to the 15th century. The text is a reflection on the Christian doctrine of Original sin and the Fall of Man, and it is often associated with the Advent season in the Christian liturgical calendar.

Text

The carol's text is preserved in the Sloane Manuscript 2593, which is held by the British Library. The manuscript dates from around 1400-1450. The text of "Adam lay ybounden" is as follows:

Adam lay ybounden,
Bounden in a bond;
Four thousand winter
Thought he not too long.
And all was for an apple,
An apple that he took,
As clerkes finden
Written in their book.
Ne had the apple taken been,
The apple taken been,
Ne had never our lady
Abeen heavené queen.
Blessed be the time
That apple taken was,
Therefore we moun singen
Deo gracias!

Interpretation

The carol reflects on the Biblical story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, focusing on the Original sin that led to humanity's fall from grace. The phrase "four thousand winter" refers to the traditional belief that four thousand years passed between Adam's fall and the birth of Jesus Christ. The carol concludes with a note of thanksgiving, suggesting that Original sin was ultimately a fortunate event because it led to the coming of Jesus Christ and the redemption of humanity.

Musical Settings

"Adam lay ybounden" has been set to music by various composers over the centuries. Some notable settings include those by:

• Boris Ord (1897–1961)
• Peter Warlock (1894–1930)
• Benjamin Britten (1913–1976)

These settings are often performed during the Advent and Christmas seasons in churches and choirs around the world.

See Also

• Original sin
• Fall of Man
• Advent
• Christmas carol
• Middle English literature