Adam Lay Ybounden - Choral Work

Thursday 31 July 2014
Adam Lay Ybounden

The latest piece to be added to the online shop is David's setting of the Medieval carol Adam Lay Ybounden which he completed earlier this year. This new setting for SSATBB choir combines Eastern and Orthodox influences with elements of Gregorian chant within a sombre and meditative texture.

The poem dates from the 15th century from an unknown author and discusses the events of Genesis 3, whereby Adam and Eve ate the Forbidden Fruit (commonly, although perhaps erroneously, referred to as an apple) and brought about the Fall of Man. The text goes on to celebrate that, were it not for the Fall, the redemption of humankind through the birth of Jesus by Mary would not have been possible, relating to Thomas Aquinas' concept of felix culpa (blessed fault).

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 ladie,
Abeen heav’ne queen.

Blessed be the time
That apple taken was,
Therefore we moun singen.
Deo gratias!