A New Commandment

Roy Crabtree is a contemporary British composer and lyricist who holds a unique and somewhat mysterious place in late 20th-century church music. While standard biographical registries offer very few details about his personal life or professional career, Crabtree’s name is permanently secured in global worship music as the creator of one of the most widely sung short chorus hymns in the ecumenical church.

The Genius of "A New Commandment"

Crabtree’s definitive contribution to Christian hymnody is "A New Commandment I Give Unto You," a beautifully minimalist text and melody written in the mid-20th century (often dated to either 1952 or the early 1970s).

Rather than leaning on flowery poetry or complex, multi-stanza narratives, Crabtree pulled his lyrics verbatim from the lips of Jesus during the Last Supper, specifically adapting John 13:34–35.

The structure is circular and straightforward, focusing entirely on the foundational mark of Christian identity:

"A new commandment I give unto 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."

From Scripture in Song to Global Liturgy

Crabtree's composition initially spread like wildfire through the Charismatic Renewal and "Scripture in Song" movements of the 1970s, where simple, guitar-friendly praise choruses began challenging traditional, dense denominational hymnody.

Because of its intense communal focus and scriptural purity, the song quickly broke out of its casual, modern roots to be integrated into formal, traditional liturgies. Today, it is recognized as a staple selection for:

• Maundy Thursday Services: Accompanying the foot-washing ceremonies that directly commemorate Christ giving this exact command.

• Services of Christian Unity: Acting as a musical prayer for ecumenical solidarity.

• Communion and Fellowship: Preparing the congregation's hearts for a shared table.

The song’s widespread success frequently led to it being printed in songbooks as an "anonymous folk melody" or "Scripture chorus." However, major modern hymnals, including Complete Mission Praise, Anglican Hymns Old and New, and Songs of Fellowship—officially credit Roy Crabtree as both the author and the original composer of the tune.