Most arre free-to-use (ie public domain or copyright-free) meaning the words can be copied and sung to at least one tune with no concerns about copyright or performance licensing. Many such hymns are old/traditional - but where possible a variety of styles / genres are included. A small selection of hymns which are still copyright may also be included, if they are particularly appropriate.
Suggestions about other hymns that could be included are welcome: leave a message in the Comments box below.
Seasonal Note
The Epiphany is the last day of the Christmas season. It is day when Christian communities remember the wise men from the East (who were Gentiles) visited the baby Jesus and offered their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.The traditional date for the feast of the Epiphany is 6 January, ie 12th night. However in some countries it is celebrated on the following Sunday, and some churches observe it as a season (from 12th night until Ash Wednesday) rather than a one-day feast.
Most communities have a familiar repertoire of public domain Christmas music, so at this time choosing free-to-use hymns is simple. The list below doesn't include all well known Christmas carols, just the ones that are a particularly good fit with the lectionary themes for this feast.
Readings
First: Isaiah 60:1-6 - Shine out Jerusalem, your light has come ... the nations come to your light ... everyone will come bringing gold and incense.Psalm 71 - All nations shall fall prostrate before you O Lord / O God give judgement to your king / In his days justice shall flourish / The kings of Tarshish and the sea coast / For he shall save the poor
Second: Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6 - ... pagans now share the same inheritance, are part of the same body in Christ Jesus.
Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12 - The wise men looked for the infant king, Herod summoned them. They found the place that the star was pointing to, and presented their gifts, but they did not report back to Herod.
Themes
Worshipping the incarnate Christ who is also king, following the Light of Christ.Jesus' royalty (gold = wealth), priestly status (frankincense = liturgy) and up-coming death.
Free-use pictures
Free-use hymns
Angels from the Realms of GloryAs with Gladness Men of Old
Bethlehem of Noblest Cities
Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning
Earth has Many a Noble City
Hail to the Lord's Anointed
Love Came Down at Christmas
O Star of Christ's Appearing
O Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness
Psalm 71 - Music for Mass setting
Sing we Now of Christmas - verses 4 and 5
Songs of Thankfulness and Praise
The First Nowell
The Race that Long in Darkness Pined
The Three Kings (Three kings from Persian lands afar)
We Three Kings (We three kings of Orient are)
What Child is This
What Star is this with Beams so Bright
Hymns which may still be copyright
Lord Jesus ChristRiding out Across the Desert
See Him Lying in a Bed of Straw - Perry
Sing of God Made Manifest
Song for Epiphany (Behold a Star) - Moore (ref)
Three Kings Long Ago
See Him Lying in a Bed of Straw - Perry
Sing of God Made Manifest
Song for Epiphany (Behold a Star) - Moore (ref)
Three Kings Long Ago
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for commenting. All comments on this website are moderated, so there will be a delay until yours is shown. Deo gratias.