Advent I

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 heav’ne Queen.

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

~ English carol, 15th century