Adam Lay Ybounden.

Adam Lay Ybounden relates the events of Genesis, Chapter 3, namely the Fall of Man following Adam's temptation by Eve and the serpent. The third verse suggests the subsequent redemption of man by the birth of Jesus by Mary.

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 [clerics] 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 gracias!