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.
A small selection of hymns that are still copyright, but are especially suitable, may also be included.
Seasonal note
The season of Advent is a time of expectant waiting: not penetential, but nevertheless still more restrained than either Ordinary Time before it, or the Christmas season.There are a number of themes which appear in the Advent readings in each year of the liturgical calendar, including preparing a way for the Lord, and imploring him to "come".
These suggestions are appropriate for the entire season, rather than being directly tied to the readings on a particular day.
Free-use hymns
Christ Whose Glory Fills the Skies - WesleyCome my Way, my Truth, my Life
Come O Divine Messiah
Come Saviour Come Like Dew (Rorate Caeli)
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Come Thou Redeemer of the Earth
Comfort Comfort Ye my People
Comfort O Comfort, O my People
Creator of the Stars of Night (Creator Alme Siderum)
Fling wide the Gates
Gabriel's Message (The Angel Gabriel)
Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
Hark! A herald voice is calling
Hark the Glad Sound the Saviour Comes - Doddridge
Hills of the North Rejoice
Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Lift up your Heads Ye Mighty Gates (Psalm 24)
Like the Dawning of the Morning
Lo ! He comes with Clouds Descending
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
O Heavenly Word Eternal Light
O Jesus Christ Remember
Of One that is so Fair and Bright
Of the Father's Love Begotten
On Jordan’s Bank
Prepare the Way, O Zion
Saviour of the Nations Come
The Advent of our King
The Coming of our God
The Day is Surely Drawing Near
The King shall come when Morning Dawns
The Race that Long in Darkness Pined
The Voice of God is Calling (public domain in the US only, author died in 1964)
This Advent Moon Shines Cold and Clear (CPDL setting) - suitable for Northern hemisphere only
Thou Whose Almighty Word
Thy Kingdom Come on Bended Knee - Hosmer
Wake, Awake Fling off the Night
Wake, O Wake with Tidings Thrilling
We Long to See Thee So
Hymns that may still be copyright
A Voice in the Wilderness - RobinsonAdvent Ring - Bell
Arise Jerusalem - Stotter
At the First Coming of the Lord - Graham
Awake Awake Fling off the Night - Peacy
Behold a Rose of Judah - unknown
Behold a Virgin Bearing Him - Gannon
Beyond the Moon and Stars - Schutte
Child of the Poor - Super
Christ Circle Round Us - Schutte
Christ Come Quickly - Winter
Christ is the World's True Light - Briggs
Come to set us Free - Farrell
Come, Lord Jesus, Come - Mangan
Come, O God, of all the Earth (Sing out, earth and skies) - Haugen
Come, O Jesus Come O Lord - McAuley
Emmanuel - Angrisano
Eternal God who Made the Stars - a translation of "Conditor Alme Siderum", translator unknown
Every Valley - Dufford
For you, O Lord (My soul in stillness waits) - Haugen
Grant to us O Lord - Deiss
I Hear a Sound Coming from the Mountain - Gustafson
Into the Darkness - Dawn
Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah - Wold
Light the Advent Candle - Walker
Like a Sea Without a Shore - White
Long Ago Prophets Knew - Pratt-Green
Look Toward Christmas - Gibson
Lord Emmanuel Come (Bright and clear as a trumpet ...) - McGrail
My Soul in Stillness Waits - Haugen
O Comfort my People - Waddell
O Emmanuel - Mangan
O Word in Uncreated Light- Forster
Open the Heavens Lord - Boniwell
People Look East the Time is Near - Farjeon
Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord - various settings
Promised Lord and Christ is He - Ruston
Ready the Way - Hurd
The Maiden and Her Child - Lawton
The Whole World is Waiting for Love - Misetich
There was a Man of God (Prepare the Way) - Boniwell
Wait for the Lord - Taize
Waiting in Silence - Landry
Wake, O wake! The Night is Dying - Farrell
We Shall Stay Awake - Hoog and Kelly
When the King Shall Come Again - Idle
Wild and Lone the Prophet’s Voice - Daw
Word of God Come Down on Earth - Quinn
Word of Justice (Advent Litany) - Farrell
You Heavens Sprinkle Dew - Jones
Further suggestions are welcome: please leave a comment below.
