Little is known about his early life, but there seems to be agreement that he was born around 1505, in the latter part of the reign of Henry VII. His first known appointment to a musical position was as organist of Dover Priory, a Benedictine priory at Dover (now Dover College) in 1532. His career took him to London, then organist of Waltham Abbey, until the abbey was dissolved in 1540, then Canterbury Cathedral, and finally to court as Gentleman of the Chapel Royal in 1543, composing and performing for Henry VIII, Edward VI, Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth. He remained in the service of the Sovereign for the rest of his life as organist and composer, avoiding the religious controversies that raged around him.
The earliest works by Tallis that survive are devotional antiphons to the Virgin Mary, which were used outside the liturgy and were cultivated in England until the fall of Cardinal Wolsey. Henry VIII's break with Roman Catholicism in 1534 and the rise of Thomas Cranmer noticeably influenced the style of music written. Texts became largely confined to the liturgy. The writing of Tallis and his contemporaries became less florid, with marked tendency toward a syllabic and chordal style and a diminished use of melisma.
The reformed Anglican liturgy was inaugurated during the short reign of Edward VI (1547-1553), and Tallis was one of the first church musicians to write anthems set to English words, although Latin continued to be used also. Following the accession of the Catholic Mary, the Roman rite was restored and compositional style reverted to the elaborate writing prevalent early in the century. Two of Tallis' major works, Gaude gloriosa Dei Mater and the Christmas Mass Puer natus est nobis are from this period. As was the prevailing practice, these pieces were intended to exalt the image of the Queen as well as to praise the Mother of God.
Elizabeth I succeeded Mary, her half sister in 1558, and the Act of Settlement in the following year abolished the Roman liturgy and firmly established the Book of Common Prayer. Composers at court resumed writing English anthems, although the practice of setting Latin texts continued, growing more peripheral over time.
The mood of the country in the beginning of Elizabeth's reign leant toward the puritan, which discouraged the liturgical polyphony. Tallis wrote nine psalm chant tunes in parts for Archbishop Parker's Psalter (the "Third Mode Melody") published in 1567. One of the nine tunes inspired the composition of Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1910. Tallis' better-known works from the Elizabethan years include his settings of the Lamentations (of Jeremiah the Prophet) for the Holy Week services and the unique motet Spem in alium written for eight five-voice choirs. It is thought that this 40-voice piece was part of a celebration of the Queen's 40th birthday in 1573.
Toward the end of his life, Tallis resisted the musical development seen in his younger contemporaries like William Byrd, who embraced compositional complexity and adopted texts built by combining disparate biblical extracts. Tallis was content to draw his texts from the liturgy and write for the worship services in the Chapel Royal. Tallis remained a Catholic his whole life, and was well-regarded by the four Sovereigns he served. Mary granted him a lease on a manor in Kent that provided a comfortable annual income. Elizabeth granted to Tallis and Byrd a patent to print and publish music, which was one of the first arrangements of that type in the country. He retained respect during a succession of opposing religious movements and deflected the violence that claimed Catholics and Protestants alike.
Thomas Tallis died peacefully in his house in Greenwich in November 1585, and was buried in the chancel of the parish of St Alfege's Church. A couplet from his epitaph reads:
As he did live, so also did he die, In mild and quiet Sort (O! happy Man)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Tallis
If Ye Love Me
Thomas Tallis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keep my commandments
And I will pray the father
And he shall give you
Another comforter
That he may bide with you forever
Even the spirit of truth
The lyrics of Thomas Tallis's song "If Ye Love Me" are a call to obedience and an invocation of the Holy Spirit. The opening line, "If ye love me," sets the condition for what comes next: "keep my commandments." This phrase refers to the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel of John, where he tells his disciples that they are to love one another as he has loved them. By following his example, they show their love for him and for God.
The second line, "And I will pray the Father," is a reference to Jesus' promise to his disciples that he would ask God to send them another comforter or advocate, who would guide them and protect them after he had left them. This "comforter" is the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus describes as "the spirit of truth," and who will "bide with you forever." The final lines of the song, therefore, express the hope and promise of eternal life and the presence of God's spirit in the lives of believers.
Line by Line Meaning
If ye love me
If you truly love me
Keep my commandments
Follow and obey my teachings and rules
And I will pray the father
I will ask God the Father
And he shall give you
God will bless you with
Another comforter
Another source of support, solace or encouragement
That he may bide with you forever
So that this comforter or helper will be with you always
Even the spirit of truth
This comforter is the Holy Spirit who will guide you in truth and righteousness.
Writer(s): David Skinner, Neill Maccoll, Kate St John, Thomas Tallis
Contributed by Hannah C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
малышка
the fact that humanity was gifted with the ability to create something as beautiful as this is absolutely mind boggling. there's something so inherently calming and serene about this piece. the way the voices blend and harmonize with each other makes me want to cry tears of pure enlightenment.
JP
I like your comment.
Patricia Graham
It's heavenly - that's why!
thomas womack
I couldnt have said it better myself...truly awesome
In my humble opinion, 12-TET is lame.
The fact that a mind could create this makes me wonder what is wrong with your mind.
reese yaras
@JP I liked yours.
Mongoose Man
I wish there were documentary’s on the life and music of Thomas Tallis and William Byrd two incredible composers who’s music should be more recognized and played more.
Alhambralions
Tallis...Perfection. Why some churches have ceased singing the traditional hymns is baffling.
Me!
LOL a lot of churches simply don't have the singing talent for polyphony! Let's be honest.
Janet Smith
Alhambralions It’s my belief that the “Deceiver” is in a rush to destroy all things beautiful. He knows his time is short.