A haunting and contemporary a cappella arrangement of a wonderful old English carol. The subtle dissonance and tonal shifts make this a memorable and meaningful setting. Great for use within a liturgical setting or for concert use.

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Middle English original spelling Middle English converted
Adam lay i-bowndyn,

bowndyn in a bond,

Fowre thowsand wynter

thowt he not to long
 Adam lay ybounden,

Bounden in a bond;

Four thousand winter,

Thought he not too long.
And al was for an appil,

an appil that he tok.

As clerkes fyndyn wretyn

in here book.
 And all was for an apple,

An apple that he took.

As clerkes finden,

Written in their book.
Ne hadde the appil take ben,

the appil taken ben,

Ne hadde never our lady

a ben hevene quen.
 Ne had the apple taken been,

The apple taken been,

Ne had never our ladie,

Abeen heav’ne queen.
Blyssid be the tyme

that appil take was!

Therefore we mown syngyn

Deo gratias!
 Blessed be the time

That apple taken was,

Therefore we moun singen.

Deo gratias!