Matthew Larkin: Adam lay ybounden

Adam lay ybounden in a bond; four thousand winter thought he not too long. And all was for an apple that he took as clerkes finden written in their book. Ne had the apple taken been,  ne had never our lady a-been heavene queen. Blessed be the time that apple taken was; therefore we moun singen: Deo gracias. (English 15^th century)