Adam lay ybounden

Words and Music: Traditional English
15th Century

Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), Page # 163

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 clerkës finden written
   In their book.
Nor had one apple taken been,
   The apple taken been,
Then had never Our Lady
  A-been heaven's queen.
Blessed be the time
   That apple taken was.
Therefore we may singen
   Deo gratias!

Versions of this carol  on this web site include:

• Adam lay i-bowndyn  (Wright, 1856)

• Adam lay ybounden (Rickert) (This Page)

• Adam lay ibounden (Chambers & Sidgwick)

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