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Hello,

Just a question about altered words in a hymn which is in the public domain. We use Together in Song (Australian Hymn Book II) where the words to most of the public domain hymns have been altered from 'archaic' "Thee", etc. and to use inclusive and politically correct language. Are these hymns still regarded as being in the public domain (more than 70 years since author's death in Australia)? 

The same applies where some of the harmonies have also been altered.

Thank you

Kathy


Comments

Usually small alterations, such as modernizing the language or changing the harmonies are not copyrighted. However, significant changes may be copyrighted; there should be a copyright statement in the hymnal if they are.