Public Domain Lyrics Question

[jazzmancf]

New Jersey
I am a composer of Christian music and have written a piece which uses lyrics by Fannie Crosby (1820-1915). The lyrics were first published in a book copyrighted in 1895. I am assuming (hopefully correctly) these lyrics to be in the public domain. If I register this piece for copyright, how do I list the author and indicate the status of the lyrics?

TIA. Carl

 

[divgradcurl]

I am a composer of Christian music and have written a piece which uses lyrics by Fannie Crosby (1820-1915). The lyrics were first published in a book copyrighted in 1895. I am assuming (hopefully correctly) these lyrics to be in the public domain.

Anything published before Jan 1, 1923, is in the public domain, so you are free to use the lyrics.

If I register this piece for copyright, how do I list the author and indicate the status of the lyrics?

Just list the author of the lyrics as the original author. There is no reason or necessity to indicate the "statuts" of the lyrics. Now, when you obtain a license to use lyrics that are still protected by copyright, the license itself will geenerally require that you note that the lyrics are used under license, and indicate the copyright owner, but that's a contractual issue, not a copyuright issue. And here, since there is no license or other contract, there isno reason to include the "status" of the lyrics.

Note: Now I'm sure you already know this, but you do know that when you copyright your song, the lyrics will not be covered by the copyright -- only your music will be, and the "sound recording" of the music and lyrics together. This will keep someone from reproducing "the lyrics + your music" but will not prevent someone else from using the same lyrics and their own music (or any orignal music that was written contemporaneously with the lyrics and is also public domain now).

 

[jazzmancf]

Thank you very much for your reply.

Jazzman