57 Public Domain Hymn Accompaniments for Free Use (Updated 1/28/2021)

This post includes 57 recorded accompaniments that may be freely used in online services. Each audio file has an introduction to the hymn and several stanzas. If you’re in a small church without an easy way to record hymn accompaniments, I hope they will help support your congregation’s online worship.

The hymn accompaniments can be used as is, along with slides with the lyrics. Or, you can download the audio, then record a second track with a vocalist. The latter option might help folks sing along at home.

The hymns accompaniments can be downloaded here.

Several folks have asked if I would accept an honorarium for these – and yes, if that’s something you or your church would like to do, you can contact me at musicandthechurch (at) gmail (dot) com.

As I add accompaniments, I’ll upload the files to the same drive and update the list of hymn accompaniments here. If you would like to be notified about new accompaniments, you can subscribe to my free email newsletter here.

Hymn Accompaniments (as of 1/28/2021)

Download audio files here.

  1. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
  2. Abide with Me
  3. Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed
  4. Ah, Holy Jesus
  5. All Glory, Laud, and Honor
  6. All Things Bright and Beautiful
  7. Alleluia, Sing to Jesus (Hyfrydol)
  8. Angels We Have Heard on High
  9. Away in a Manger
  10. Be Thou My Vision
  11. Be Still My Soul (Note: FINLANDIA public domain in most countries, including the U.S., but not all.)
  12. BEECH SPRING
  13. Blest Be the Tie that Binds
  14. Break Thou the Bread of Life
  15. Breathe on Me, Breath of God
  16. Canticle of Turning
  17. Christ the Lord Is Risen Today (Easter Hymn)
  18. Come Thou Fount
  19. Crown with Your Richest Crowns
  20. DISTRESS
  21. Doxology
  22. Fairest Lord Jesus/Beautiful Savior
  23. Go Tell It on the Mountain
  24. Great Is Thy Faithfulness
  25. Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
  26. Hark, the Herald Angels Sing
  27. Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
  28. How Can I Keep from Singing (My Life Goes on in Endless Song)
  29. How Firm a Foundation
  30. I Sing the Mighty Power of God
  31. If Thou But Trust in God to Guide Thee
  32. In Christ There Is No East or West (McKee)
  33. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
  34. It Is Well (When Peace Like a River)
  35. Jesus Christ Is Risen Today (Llanfair)
  36. LAND OF REST
  37. Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
  38. My Faith It Is an Oaken Staff
  39. My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
  40. Nearer My God to Thee
  41. Now Thank We All Our God
  42. Now the Green Blade Rises
  43. O Come All Ye Faithful
  44. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
  45. O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
  46. O God, Our Help in Ages Past
  47. O Little Town of Bethlehem
  48. O Sacred Head Now Wounded
  49. Once in Royal David’s City
  50. Praise to the Lord (Sing Praise to God)
  51. Silent Night
  52. The Strife Is O’er
  53. We Gather Together
  54. We Three Kings
  55. What Wondrous Love Is This, O My Soul
  56. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Hamburg)
  57. When Morning Gilds the Skies

Piano Improvisation

Download audio files here.

Free improvisations suitable for transition or opening music, as well as improvisations on various hymn tunes.

Solo Organ

Download audio file here.

  • Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr (Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart) – arr. Johann Friedrich Alberti

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8 thoughts on “57 Public Domain Hymn Accompaniments for Free Use (Updated 1/28/2021)”

  1. Rory

    Hi Sarah, Thanks for sharing these recordings, but copyright is a minefield. Jean Sibelius died in 1957. He composed the hymn tune Finlandia which is sung to “Be Still My Soul” and “We Rest On Thee.” So Finlandia is NOT in the Public Domain. It us still under copyright in much of the world.

    In the USA, copyright extends to 70 years after the author’s death. For copyright based on publication date it is 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation whichever is shorter (anonymous works, pseudonymous works, or works made for hire, published since 1978)
    95 years from publication for works published 1964–77; 28 (if copyright not renewed) or 95 years from publication for works published 1924–63 (Copyrights prior to 1924 have expired, not including copyrights on sound recordings fixed prior to February 15, 1972, covered only under state laws.)
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries%27_copyright_lengths

    I’ve been looking for recordings like this and I really appreciate your generosity. I’d like to use them as backing tracks for my wife to sing over and upload them to Youtube and integrate them into our Quarantine Youtube services.

    I’ll go through the rest of your list and double check what can be used. Hope this helps!

  2. sarah.bereza

    Hi Rory,
    Finlandia is not under copyright in the U.S. (where I’m based) because of when it was written – but yes, it’s not always public domain in other countries so I’ll note that in the post. Thanks!
    Sarah

  3. Bethany Walker

    Many thanks for these! They will serve my congregations well during Holy Week and Easter services.
    Peace,
    Bethany (who only plays guitar 🙂

  5. Kirsten

    This is such a tremendous blessing. I emailed “Abide With Me” to my church choir members along with the hymn sheet music, as well as a video of me singing. So we can sing “together.” What an amazing gift. Thank you so much. -Kirsten (in central Massachusetts) ❤️

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