[2] The words of several hymns have been altered slightly, although it nonetheless enjoys continuing favour in a considerable number of cathedrals and collegiate chapels worldwide and it is a significant publication in Anglican church music.

Its extensive provision of hymns for saints' days and mid-week religious festivals has proved popular with those schools still maintaining hymn-singing in daily acts of worship.

The musical editor was Anthony Caesar with significant assistance from Arthur Hutchings, Christopher Dearnley, and Michael Fleming.

[4] It was initially scheduled for publication in 2018, 60 years after the death of its first musical editor, Ralph Vaughan Williams.

[10] At the time of the actual publication of the full music version in November 2023, the words only and melody were editions are scheduled to be published in January and Spring 2024 respectively.