Comments on: “Hymns at Church”: David Beresford’s solution to copyrighted hymn texts

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:05:13 +0000

Dr. Beresford has ably described the symptoms of decline we all endured during the late ’60’s and ’70’s. It’s akin to seeing a great artist reduced to participate in mandatory paint-by-numbers recreational sessions in a home for the aged. We are but a pale reflection of what we once were, and our forefathers and foremothers in the faith would hardly recognize us as Catholic.

By: Samuel J Howard

Samuel J Howard — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:56:30 +0000

“I wonder if Mr Beresford employs some artistic license here. “The Rose” and “You Light Up My Life” date to 1977-78, far past the era of the occasional folk song employed for filler material.”

I saw members of a Catholic Newman community choir offer “Imagine” at an interfaith prayer service in 2001.

How would musicians make a living without copyright? Presumably, the same way they did before copyright: teaching, performance, patronage, and commissions.

By: Todd

Todd — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:26:07 +0000

I wonder if Mr Beresford employs some artistic license here. “The Rose” and “You Light Up My Life” date to 1977-78, far past the era of the occasional folk song employed for filler material.

The copyright situation is interesting. I wonder if Mr Beresford makes distinctions between copyrighted accompaniments, which are often listed in the musical credits on the hymnal page, or even the adaptation of songs from two centuries ago–like the modern “Peace Is Flowing.”

If I knew he was practicing a distinction that permitted church musicians to be able to make a living from what they offer the Church, maybe I could muster a shred of sympathy for him. As it is, this doesn’t sound too different from the suggestion that priests and musicians should get 9-5 jobs because they sure don’t seem to be too busy on non-Sundays.