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Can anybody fill me in on the evidence for and against Manna Music's 1972 copyright of the "Alleluia" tune commonly attributed to Jerry Sinclair? Comparing it to the Alleluia tune arranged by Betty Pulkingham and first copyrighted 1971 by Celebration Services (Yeldall) or whatever they called it (seemingly also known as The Fishermen), it looks to me like the only substantive difference is that the first two notes are on the same pitch in Sinclair's version, but rise one full step in Pulkingham's. Other than that the melody line looks identical to me. Pulkingham calls it "anonymous" and only claims to have arranged it, whereas Manna/Sinclair appear to assert authorship. I'm skeptical. (I have a bias against Manna because of their treatment of Stuart Hine's vs. Carl Boberg's authorship status in "How Great Thou Art".) Is there evidence that Sinclair's authorship predates Pulkingham's arrangement? Has this ever been tested in court?
See for example #74 in Sing and Rejoice, which credits the Pulkingham arrangement and copyright.
Just curious.
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I'd be curious, too.
I'd be curious, too.