Adam lay ybounden

Christopher Hampson's setting of the carol Adam lay ybounden is for SATB choir. This is a sacred Christmas piece in English. The text tells the familiar story of Adam and Eve's fall, linking the original sin to the salvation brought by Mary's role as Queen of Heaven. The carol uses the theological concept of 'O felix culpa' – 'O happy fault' – suggesting that humanity's sin was a necessary precursor to the coming of Christ. Hampson's music reflects the narrative, moving from the somber image of Adam's bondage to a jubilant declaration of 'Deo gracias!' at the end.