The Open Hymnal Project - Freely Distributable Christian Hymnody for Today's World

Editions

Main Edition

This is the main edition. Sometimes I have called this the "big PDF version". It includes all hymns. Older versions also included choral music, but those will be separated very soon.

Scores as a single pdf (2014.06) (8MB)

Big, single ABC (source) file (2014.06) (2MB)

All Scores as GIF files, zipped (2014.06) (23MB)

All MIDI files as a zip (2014.06) (336kB)

All ABC (source) files as a zip (2014.06) (1MB)

Sword Edition

The Crosswire Bible Society writes and distributes Bible study software for many various types of computers and hand-held devices. These programs all fall under the auspices of The SWORD Project, which is the core engine used by applications on each device. This means that their modules all work on your PC, your phone, and perhaps even a few other devices.

The SWORD Project can also handle general books which reference and link to Scripture. To these ends, there is a Sword edition of the Open Hymnal, bringing the hymnal as near as possible to God's Word.

You can manually install the module from this download, but it works better to point your module manager at the Xiphos Repository, where the Hymnal is available.

Raw ZIP Module (19.0MB)

ThML source (1.1MB)

Christmas Edition

How about setting aside the normal Christmas hustle and bustle next time around. Instead, set aside a night to spend some time rejoicing expectantly the way the Church has done for centuries ... sing. Gather your family or friends. If no one can play piano, then drop the MP3s on an MP3 player. Sing along, read the Scriptures, learn a new (or maybe old) hymn, and bask in the glory of the incarnation.

Christmas Edition 2013 (1.7M)

MP3s for Christmas Edition (70MB)

Lent/Easter Edition

Shouldn't Easter be at least as big of a deal in our lives as is Christmas? I think so.

Lent/Easter Edition 2011 (1.1MB)

Visitation Edition

Sometimes in this life we are brought to the bedside of the sick or afflicted, perhaps to the bedside of the dying. At these times, how important is it that we bring God's Word to them in a way that they can hear!

Frequently, there may be numerous people gathered near, and it would be impractical to lug around a dozen full-sized hymnals. Well, here's an alternative. This hymnal is small enough to easily carry a dozen copies, it has its own accompaniment via the MP3s, and it's packed full of hymns, prayers, Scripture lessons and meditations to show the love of Christ in the hour of greatest need.

Visitation Edition 2011 (1.1MB)

2-up duplex printing Visitation Edition 2011 (1.1MB) (This should be printed on legal sized paper short-side duplex, stapled, folded, then sheared)

MP3s for Visitation Edition (58MB) (put these on a cell phone or MP3 player with a little speaker when you visit the sick)

Choral and Instrumental Edition

Until recently this was simply the back section of the main edition. But the hymnal has grown enough that it makes sense to separate these out now. This edition is still very small, but has some gems.

Choral and Instrumental Edition 2013 (438kB)

I also have an outstanding request for a large print edition. This edition may or may not be lyrics-only. If you have suggestions or thoughts, I'd love to hear them!