hymnsandbooks

Notes on Hymn Copyright

Notes on Copyright

Why copyright hymns?

There is an argument which says that if you write hymns for the church they should be freely available. In principle I have no problem with that at all. But…

All of my hymns are in copyright. So why?

The main reason for copyright is to prevent others altering what you write? Say you have a hymn of praise to Jesus. How would you feel if it was altered to praise to Satan? – with your name attached…
Alteration can be major or minor. At the very least you can ask people not to alter your text without permission, or publish, or use your writing, or music, in contexts of which you would not approve, or want to be associated with.
You may, over time, alter your words and not want previous versions to be used. Again, you have control.

Levels of copyright

Your copyright can say ‘may be used freely’ or ‘used freely with permission’.
It can say ‘may be used freely in particular contexts’ – eg., church – but that wider or commercial use requires permission.
A few authors rely on royalties for their living. Copyright and fees become intrinsic. Even then items may be free in certain settings. All of my texts are copyright but I certainly don’t make a living from writing. Many of my texts have been used by, or commissioned by, charities. You can choose whether particular use is allowed or requires a charge.
Even when a charge is taken you can decide whether a royalty is then donated by you to charity.
Today many hymns that are in copyright are licenced for church or education use through Christin Copyright Licencing (CCL) or other licensing bodies.

Types of copyright

Personal copyright. You set the wording. You administer anything to do with he copyright. You retain all benefits in the copyright. On your death benefits would usually revert to your Executor, or whomsoever you designate in your will.
Copyright held by another. In this instance, with a reputable company, you will be consulted on use of the item that diverges from anything you have agreed with the administrator/owner. You will have a legal contract defining your rights and expectations together with those of the owner.

The benefits here may seem minimal, but can sometimes be substantial. I have a large number of hymns. My copyright holder deals with requests for use, changes of wording (in consultation with me), legal questions (rare, but could include allegations of accidental plagiarism for example), receiving royalites when texts, or music, are used and paying royalties to me, less an agreed proportion which is theirs. The copyright holder is responsible for safe retention of my material. In addition my copyright holder has promoted and published my hymns in ways that I never could have done on my own. On my death my hymns remain available and secure.

Advent in uncertain times – Active love, not fearful frenzy – a hymn

Advent in uncertain times - Active love, not fearful frenzy

1	Active love, not fearful frenzy,
	Is the path that we pursue,
	Counterblast to alienation,
	Struggle making all things new.
	Facing up to common conflict,
	Meeting arrogance with prayer,
	Seeking to be one with Jesus,
	Dignified amid despair.
	
2	Torture, fear and desecration
	Paint the canvas of our lives;
	But the picture, deeply woven,
	Demonstrates that love survives.
	Systems that would seek to scar us,
	Mould us blindly to their trends,
	We will overthrow with kindness,
	Not be subject to their ends.

3	We will take the cross of Jesus
	Into every sphere of life,
	We will stand for peace and justice,
	We will not succumb to strife.
	We must meet this tribulation,
	Live our lives, if need be, die;
	Take no refuge in abstraction,
	Take the cross and lift it high! 

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
© 1997 Stainer & Bell Ltd
Words Andrew Pratt © 2015 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd. 
Metre: 8 7 8 7 D Trochaic
Tune: BETHANY (Smart)

A different Advent Candle Lighting Hymn – Deep in darkness

1	Deep in darkness we begin,
	dark outside and deep within.
	Now ignite a single flame,
	shadows form, let light remain.

2	 As they gleaned the word of life,
	narrative of love and strife,
	people through each age have known
	yet more light: God's glory shown.
	
3	John the Baptist spoke out loud,
	challenged that discordant crowd,
	called each one toward the light,
	see it growing, gleaming bright.
	
4	Mary wondered at her lot,
	blessed?  Or cursed?  Or loved?  Or not?
	Angels came and glory shone,
	feel the love, let light shine on.
	
5	Look!  a star is shining there.
	See the stable stark and bare.
	Christmas dawns, all darkness gone!
	Christ has come, the light shines on!

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2003 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd
Metre: 7 7 7 7  
Tunes: LAUDS (Wilson); ORIENTIS PARTIBUS

Life is tough but God will hold us…

Life is tough, but God will hold -  us inspired by Psalm 132: 1 – 12 (13 – 18)

1	Life is tough, but God will hold us 
	through each hardship of our lives, 
	when our hope is torn to ribbons 
	grace is present, love survives.
	
2	God will feed us bread of heaven, 
	finest wine to slake our thirst.
	Those who grieve will know God's comfort,
	those who waited will be first.
	
3	Hear the faithful offer praises, 
	here the poor will shout for joy, 
	grace and hope will give forever 
	love that nothing can destroy.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2012 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Metre: 8 7 8 7
Tunes: CROSS OF JESUS; LAUS DEO (Redhead)

A New Book of Poetry by David Lythgoe – Beside Another Sea

Beside Another Sea is David Lythgoe’s latest book of Poetry available here and other other bookshops

If you know David Lythgoe you will not be disappointed by this book of over a hundred poems. Simply read on. But if you’re tasting his work for the first time, with no spoilers, let me give you an idea of what you’re holding in your hand.

I have known David for many years. I have found him to be a quiet, self-effacing man. In consequence his writing in these poems offers an insight to a sensitive, reflective personality who, through this medium, has been able to give expression to emotion, to impressions, sometimes with humour, yet equally able to voice the grief born of love and loss.

David has won awards for his writing and our reward is this gift which I sense has been gestating for some time. His subject matter often quarries memory. He unearths feelings as much as facts. Often the description of a remembered scene becomes a metaphor for life’s conundrums. His poetry frequently spans personal thoughts, yet he is never sentimental. Often the poems originate in a particular context – a holiday, a shared experience with his wife, lockdown and the unexpected sound of birds singing, the waves of the sea or some other pattern of nature. Much of the writing is observational, reminiscent sometimes of the poetry of R.S. Thomas. David is compassionate while the narrative of his verse occasionally twists offering a political slant.

His background enables him to merge a travelogue with classical literary, and scientific linguistic devices.

From the Preface – Andrew Pratt