Description
The melody commonly known as “Tallis’ Canon” is one of nine tunes Thomas Tallis contributed to Matthew Parker’s Psalter around 1561. In this arrangement of Glory to thee, my God, this night, the melody is presented in several ways, ranging from a simple unison line to extended six-part harmony. Sequences of falling sixth chords in the accompaniment are reminiscent of the organ works of Belgian composer, Flor Peeters, who reworked a number of Lutheran hymns for the instrument.
This arrangement closes with the tune presented as a six-part canon, where the voices interweave to create intricate chordal inversions. Depending on the number of singers, you might prefer to sing a simple two or three-part canon, or extend upwards!
In performance, we often hold this magical piece back as an encore. Audiences delight in the familiarity of Tallis’s tune, and in our slow procession to the back of the church or hall during the glowing six-part canon that closes the work.
© Owain Park 2025
Text:
Glory to thee, my God, this night for all the blessings of the light; keep me, O keep me, King of kings, beneath thy own almighty wings.
Forgive me, Lord, for thy dear Son, the ill that I this day have done, that with the world, myself, and thee, I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.
Teach me to live, that I may dread the grave as little as my bed; each me to die, that so I may rise glorious at the aweful day.
O may my soul on thee repose, and may sweet sleep mine eyelids close, sleep that may me more vigorous make
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow, praise him, all creatures here below, praise him above, angelic host, praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Thomas Ken
