Most are free-to-use, ie public domain or copyright-free, meaning the words can be copied and sung to at least one tune with no concerns about copyright or performance licensing.
It has been complied in honour of the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation (1 September). This event was introduced to the Catholic Church by Pope Francis in 2015, and it was already practised by the Orthodox Church. It
"offers to individual believers and to the community a precious opportunity to renew our personal participation in this vocation as custodians of creation, raising to God our thanks for the marvelous works that He has entrusted to our care, invoking his help for the protection of creation and his mercy for the sins committed against the world in which we live."In the northern hemisphere, this complements the existing Harvest and Creation Time (1 September - 4 October) celebrations that occur around this time.
Hymns about creation vs care for creation
There are many hymns which thank and praise God for creation, and offer insights into the nature of God based on the wonders of the natural world. However most treat the natural world as something to be exploited. A few of the latter are included in the free-use list, because they are so well-known. But in general these list have hymns tha tfocus on repentance for exploiting creation or developing respect and care for the earth. Because of this, the selection of hymns that are still copyright is larger than usual - these sentiments generally aren't included in older hymns.See Hymns for Harvest Festival for suggestions that are specifically about giving thanks for the fruits of the earth.
Suggested free-use hymns
All Creatures of our God and KingAll Good Gifts (We plough the fields and scatter)
All Things Bright and Beautiful
As the Sun Doth Daily Rise
Benedicite
Dakota Hymn (Many and Great)
Fairest Lord Jesus (Beautiful Saviour)
For the Beauty of the Earth
I Sing the Mighty Power of God
Immortal, Invisible God only Wise
Joyful Joyful we Adore Thee
My Soul Thy Great Creator Praise
With Wonder, Lord, we see your Works
Hymns that are or may still be copyright
Above the Moon Earth Rises - TroegerCreation sings! Each plant and tree - Leckebusch
Day of Delight and Beauty Unbounded - Dufner
God Folds the Mountains Out of Rock - Troeger
God has Done Marvellous Things - Haas
God in his Love for us Lent us this Planet - Pratt Green
God Of The Poor (Beauty for brokenness) - Kendrick
God’s will for Creation - Bell
God's World - Couchman
In His Presence There Is Joy (Holy Ground) - Davis (P&W genre)
Laudato Sii - Lundy
Lord Bring the Day to Pass - Fraser
Lord of all Life and Power - Dudley-Smith
O God Creator of all Things - Gilette
O Lord, our Lord, Throughout the Earth - Bell
On Holy Ground - Pená
Song at the Centre (From the Corners of Creation) - Haugen
Thank You God for Water, Soil and Air - Wren
The Blue Green Hills of Earth - Oler
The God who set the Stars in Space - Dudley-Smith and Hartig
The Works of the Lord are Created in Wisdom - Idle
The World Abounds with God’s Free Grace - Mehrtens
Think of a World Without any Flowers - Newport
This is Holy Ground - Beatty
Touch the Earth Lightly - Murray
We Stand in Wonder of Creation - Alonso
When your Father made the World - Rose and Conlon
Where are the Voices for the Earth - Murray
