Public Domain Christmas Songs

Songs that are in the public domain essentially have no owner. You can do anything you want with them without the need to obtain permissions, pay royalties, or credit the original author.

This does not apply to copyrighted arrangements of a song in the public domain. If a song is in the pubic domain, you can make any changes you want to it, including changing lyrics, or adding a verse or chorus. You can also set new music to existing public domain lyrics or text. A great example of adapting or modifying a public domain song, is Chris Tomlin's contemporary adaptation of "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)."

If you have created an adaptation from a public domain song, it's easy to protect and register your new copyrighted work through the CopyrightSolver's PERMISSIONSplus online copyright service.