Irish Presbyterian Hymn Book Pdf

The search for an Irish Presbyterian hymn book pdf has exploded in the last five years for several practical reasons:

The full Irish Presbyterian Hymn Book (and its 2004 supplement, Hymns and Psalms) remains under copyright by the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

If you need a digital version of the Irish Presbyterian hymn book, here are your best legal routes:

Many of the hymns contained within the Irish Presbyterian Hymn Book (texts and tunes written before 1927) are in the public domain. While the specific layout and typography of the 1980 book are copyrighted, the music itself is often free to use. Websites like Hymnary.org or the Cyber Hymnal offer free PDF downloads of the sheet music for individual songs contained in the book. irish presbyterian hymn book pdf

| Feature | Church Hymnary 3rd Ed. (1973) | Irish Presbyterian Hymn Book (2004) | |---------|-------------------------------|--------------------------------------| | Total hymns | 650 | 1,100+ | | Metrical psalms | 70 | 130 | | Global songs | Few | 40+ | | Scripture index | No | Yes | | Lectionary alignment | Weak | Strong | | Binding quality | Fair | Good (but thin paper) |

The IPHB is clearly superior for modern Reformed worship, though some older members in my congregation mourned the loss of Victorian favorites like “The sands of time are sinking.”

Q: Is the Irish Presbyterian Hymn Book the same as the Church of Scotland’s "Church Hymnary 4"? A: No. While they share many hymns (common heritage), the Irish book includes specific Irish tunes (e.g., "Londonderry Air"), distinct psalm settings, and liturgical orders used in PCI. The search for an Irish Presbyterian hymn book

Q: Can I get a PDF on my Kindle? A: Not officially. However, the paid apps for iOS and Android work beautifully on tablets. Kindle’s PDF reader is poor for sheet music due to the lack of zoom fidelity.

Q: Where can I buy a physical copy? A: Directly from The Presbyterian Bookshop at Assembly Buildings in Belfast, or via online retailers like The Book Depository (now Amazon UK) or Goulding’s Music Shop in Dublin.

Q: I found a PDF from 1976. Can I use that? A: The 1976 edition is still under copyright (copyright lasts for 70 years after the death of the author/editor; the editors died in the 1990s/2000s). It is not yet public domain. Use at your own risk. Websites like Hymnary

At roughly 1,100 hymns, the IPHB is substantial but manageable (hardback, 6”x9”). The binding withstands heavy use; page corners are reinforced. The typeface is clear, and the music layout (melody line only in the main section, with full SATB in a separate appendix) suits both piano and guitar. One flaw: the paper is thin—minor ghosting of text from the reverse page, but not distracting.

The editorial committee, led by Dr. John L. Bell (of the Iona Community) and Rev. Dr. David J. McCarthy, included scholars from Trinity College Dublin and Union Theological College. Their work shows in the explanatory preface, the index of scriptural allusions, and the thematic index (over 200 headings, from “Adoption” to “Zeal”).