Advent 2024: Thu 5 Dec
Adam lay ybounden
This is a popular carol (15th century words) for choirs to sing, in the arrangement by Boris Ord (d. 1961). It is a regular firm favourite in the Carols from King’s service. It has a nice modal opening, and then breaks into more modern harmony. There is a danger, however, that we enjoy the carol because of the tune or setting. There is another setting by Peter Warlock (d. 1930).
Adam lay ybounden, bounden in a bond,
Four thousand winter thoughte he not too long;
And al was for an apple, and apple that he took,
As clerkes finden writen, writen in hire book.
Ne hadde the apple taken been, the apple taken been,
Ne hadde nevere Oure Lady ybeen hevene Queen.
Blessed be the time that apple taken was:
Therfore we mown singen Deo Gratias.
We might be labouring a point if we queried the apple, as the apple was not written in the Book at all, only the fruit of the tree. Clerkes (clerics) would actually have trouble finden it written in hire book. The disobedience of Adam and Eve and the Fall is the point.
The writer expresses joy in the Fall, for had we not fallen the mother of Jesus would not have become Queen of Heaven (through being the mother of Christ). That might be placing undue emphasis on Mary. To put it gently, Mary is honoured but generally not exalted to this degree in Protestant Churches. Man’s first disobedience was one step in God’s Plan for the path to salvation for all in Christ Jesus. Ne hadde the apple taken been, ne hadde Ore Lorde ybeen hevene King.
Ord:
https://youtu.be/7jRY8O7YX1Q?si=QH2o2wYdmZsOL7-Q
Warlock:
Paul