A New Commandment

This hymn is a folk-style setting, based closely on John 13:34-35.

The author and composer are usually listed as "unknown" and it has not been possible to determine when it was first published:  the earliest located version so far is Songs of Praise, from Scripture in Song Recordings Ltd, published in 1973.   However:
  • Some more-recent publications attribute it to Roy Crabtree, but no further information about him has been located. 
  • Recent versions of Hymns Old and New include two additional verses by Indian Roman Catholic priest, musician, liturgist and composer Aniceto Nazareth (1938-2021).

With irregular meter, the tune does not have a name.

There are some variations in the words and tune in use throughout the world.   The original lyrics included "by this shall all men know that you are my disciples".   The word "men" is now usually omitted and the tune adjusted to fit.   Some people change the whole phrase to "by this the world shall know".

There are several other hymns with very similar titles, but this particular version is widely used in liturgical churches, across various denominations.


Downloads



Examples

Singer with piano:


Church choir with electronic keyboard:


Singer, self-accompanied on guitar:


Instrumental - piano, with lyrics on-screen:


Lyrics

A new commandment, I give unto you
That you love one another, as I have loved you.
That you love one another, as I have loved you.

By this, shall all know that you are my disciples,
If you have love one for another.
By this, shall all know you are my disciples,
If you have love one for another.

A new commandment, I give unto you
That you love one another, as I have loved you. 

Additional verses
2  You are my friends if you do what I command you ...

3  I am the true vine, my Father is the gard'ner ...

4  True love is patient, not arrogant and boastful ...


ABC Notation

About ABC notation

X:1
T:A New Commandment
Z:abc-transcription www.GodSongs.net
M:2/2
L:1/4
K:D
"^Chorus" A,| "D"F3 E |"Bm"E D2 D |"Bm"G2 G>F | "A"E2 F G |
w:A new com-mand-ment, I give un-to you, that you
"D"A2 A>F |"Bm"E D2 D |"Em"B2 "Em7"GG | "A"E2 F G |
w:love one an-oth-er, as I have loved you. That you
"D"A2 A>F |"Bm"E D2 D |"Em"G2 "A7" CC | [1 "D"D3 D | ] [2 "D"D3 z|]
w:love one an-oth-er, as I have loved you. By you
"^Verse" "G"d3 d | c c2 B |"D" AB A>F | "Bm"E D2 D |
w:this shall all know that you are my di-sci-ples, If
"G"B3 B |"F#m"A2 (3FAF |"A"E4 | "D"F2 z "D7"D |
w:you have love one for an-othe-r. By
"G"d3 d | c c2 B |"D" AB A>F | "Bm"E D2 D |
w:this shall all know that you are my di-sci-ples, if
"G"B3 B |"F#m"A2 (3FAF |"A"E4 | "D"D3 ||
w:you have love one for an-oth-er.

See also


KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
A new commandment, I give unto you
That you love one another, as I have loved you.
That you love one another, as I have loved you.

By this, shall all know that you are my disciples,
If you have love one for another.
By this, shall all know you are my disciples,
If you have love one for another.

A new commandment, I give unto you
That you love one another, as I have loved you. 

Additional verses
2  You are my friends if you do what I command you ...

3  I am the true vine, my Father is the gard'ner ...

4  True love is patient, not arrogant and boastful ...

2 comments:

  1. Do you know anything about its attribution to Roy Crabtree?

    Geoff

    ReplyDelete
  2. The 25th Anniversary Music Edition of Complete Mission Praise is one of those which lists the author and composer as Roy Crabtree. In the back there is a list of Copyright Addresses. There is one for Roy there, which is a seafront flat in the little North Wales town of Llandudno!

    ReplyDelete