First published in 1993 by the Hymnbook Resources Commission of the UUA, it was meant to be much more inclusive in both gender references, multicultural sources, and a wider number of religious inspirations.
[1][2] The hymns are split up by subject, such as theme (Commitment/Action, Love and Compassion, Hope, Freedom, Justice, Stewardship of the Earth) time (Morning, Evening, The Seasons, Harvest, Solstice and Equinox), origin (Music of The Cultures of the World, Words from Sacred Traditions, The Jewish Spirit, The Christian Spirit), holiday (Kwanzaa, Pesach / Passover, Hanukkah, Advent, Christmas, Easter), and for specific services or parts of services (Entrance Songs, Chalice Lightings, Weddings, Memorials and Funerals, Recessionals).
Three of the hymns—"Your Mercy, Oh Eternal One", "Now I Recall My Childhood", and "There Are Numerous Strings"—were written by Rabindranath Tagore.
[4]Evensong is the name of a programmed series of gatherings undertaken as part of the Unitarian Universalist Association's Adult Religious Education initiative.
The format includes hymns and readings from Singing the Living Tradition followed by a discussion on a pertinent spiritual topic.