What Doesn't the Hymnary Do?

jpr5's picture

By now you've probably poked around the Hymnary enough to know that it is a powerful tool for researching and enjoying hymns. "Is there anything," you ask, "that the Hymnary doesn't do?" Well, here's one: the Hymnary doesn't grant licensing permission.

As any conscientious worship leader knows, it's illegal to print, project or record copyrighted songs without permission of the author or publisher. While the Hymnary is the best place to find out who a song's author or publisher is, we can't grant permission. But there are three licensing organizations that can. Most evangelical hymns and praise songs are covered by CCLI (http://www.ccli.com) denominational and liturgical music is covered by OneLicense (http://www.onelicense.net. If you're recording a CD, contact Harry Fox (http://www.harryfox.com). Of course, you can always contact the author or composer directly.


Comments

Hello,

I'm trying to track down the author or composer for "We need thy Son, O dearest mother," for which your website has been helpful in citing the publication as "The Ordinary of the Mass and a Complete Manual of Hymns for Parochial Schools #d440" and the publisher as Public Press, Philadelphia, Penn., 1935. Our congregation used to sing this song back in the 1950s and 1960s and we'd like to record it in a video but want to ensure we are complying with copyright laws.  I understand you cannot grant licensing permission but I am hoping you might know the author or composer or some additional information.

Thank you.