This is an example of how incorrect copyright notice can allow intellectual property to become owned by the public. Found and posted at the internet archive by Gerard Arthus, this 1957 collection of Christmas classics was released without any copyright notice as required by law, so there is no one who can claim ownership. I must admit this is a tremendous collection of Christmas standards, and IT’S FREE! The only caveat made by Mr. Arthus is about the commercial use of the record’s cover. ENJOY “Joy To The World.”
Songs I found to be in the public domain
- Away in a Manger
- Angels We Have Heard on High
- Go Tell It on the Mountain
- Hallelujah Chorus
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
- Joy to the World
- O Come, All Ye Faithful
- O Come, O Come Emm
- • O Holy Night
- 4O Little Town of Bethlehem
- The First Noel
Songs that are not in the public domain and have been written within the last 95 years
- Carol of the Bells
- Do You Hear What I Hear?
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
- Little Drummer Boy
- The Christmas Song
- White Christmas