Adam Lay Ybounden [English translation]

Adam Lay Bound

translation by Michael R. Burch

Adam lay bound, bound in a bond;

Four thousand winters, he thought, were not too long.

And all was for an apple, an apple that he took,

As clerics now find written in their book.

But had the apple not been taken, or had it never been,

We'd never have had our Lady, heaven's queen.

So blessed be the time the apple was taken thus;

Therefore we sing, "God is gracious!"