The collection is designed to provide for the final verse of 400 popular hymn tunes.
Some retailers (Musicroom, JW Pepper) offer a "digital print" option. This is usually a watermarked PDF of a single hymn from the book, not the whole volume. If you only need "Hyfrydol" for next Sunday, you can pay $4.99 for that one page. Over time, collecting 400 of these is expensive, but for urgent use, it solves the problem.
The phrasing is designed to promote fine legato playing, helping congregations feel the full weight and meaning of the lyrics.
The heavy oak doors of the cathedral creaked, echoing through the empty nave as Thomas laid the weathered, blue-bound book on the organ console. It was the legendary collection: 400 Last Verses by Noel Rawsthorne.
: Due to copyright, the full collection is generally not available as a free legal PDF. It is published by Kevin Mayhew Publishers and is widely available for purchase through music retailers like RSCM or Sheet Music Plus .
Many popular tunes are provided in multiple keys to ensure compatibility with different modern and traditional hymnals.
As of 2026, this book is still in copyright (Noel Rawsthorne died in 2019, so copyright extends for 70 years after his death, until 2089). Kevin Mayhew Ltd. actively protects its copyrights.
The book is available in PDF format, making it easy to access and use on a variety of devices.