The Story of Genesis and Exodus: An Early English Song, about 1250 A.D.

An early Middle‑English song offers a compact, lyrical retelling of the opening chapters of the biblical story, from the creation of the world to the liberation of the Israelites. Rendered in clear, everyday speech, the poet invites listeners to hear the “true tale” of humanity’s fall and redemption without the ornate language of scholarly treatises. The verses move briskly through key events, presenting the core narrative in a rhythm that once helped ordinary people learn and internalise their faith.

The text comes from a modest vellum codex dating to the thirteenth century, its pages carefully transcribed and annotated by dedicated scholars. Readers benefit from extensive marginal notes, conjectural readings, and a comprehensive glossary that illuminate obscure words and spelling conventions. This edition preserves the original’s simplicity while providing modern listeners with the tools to appreciate an authentic piece of early English literary and religious culture.