Thomas Tallis's theme is the third of nine psalm tunes that he contributed to Archbishop Parker's Psalter in 1567. It is not known when Vaughan Williams first came across the melody, but he used it in The English Hymnal in 1906 (where it appears as No. 92). He later returned to it and appears to have used and elaborated on the tune in some incidental music he wrote for The Pilgrim's Progress, although there is now a gap in the manuscript held by the British Library. It is presumed that Vaugham Williams removed it in order to have it with him when he began work on his work for two string orchestras, now known as 'Fantasia on a Theme by Thomsa Tallis'.
The first performance was given by the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the composer, at the Three Choirs Festival in Gloucester Cathedral on 6th September 1910.
This score is a new edition and sources the composer's manuscript held in the Royal Academy of Music, London and the first published edition (J.W.Curwen, 1921). There are significant editorial notes printed within the score.