Adam lay ybounden

SATB divisi | Duration c. 3'30"

Hewitt Hill Music

Adam lay ybounden was commissioned by Paul Mealor and the University of Aberdeen Chamber Choir for the University’s London Alumnus Nine Lessons and Carols Service at St. Marylebone Church on December 3rd, 2014. This piece sets a 15th century middle English text of unknown authorship. The poem speaks of the binding of Adam in Limbo following his death and until the birth of Jesus Christ some “four thousand winter” later. To emulate this in the music, a twisting chromatic melody is sung several times throughout the piece on the first lines of text, accompanied by held notes that are sustained over extended periods of time.

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!