Thomas Tallis wrote music during a difficult period in the English Reformation. Not only did successive royal monarchs adopt different faiths (Tallis worked under Catholic leadership, then Protestant, then Catholic again, then a slightly more liberal Protestant ruler), they also vacillated over the language to be used in divine worship, and the style of music appropriate for the English Church. Tallis characteristically adapted to each shift, and thus his music has continued to serve many different types of Christian worship. It seems the Church of England went through a phase around the 1560s in which simpler, homophonic settings of English texts were preferred to the Continental style of more grandiose imitative polyphony. Some of Tallis' musical settings from this period present their English texts thus in a very direct and effective manner that continues to flourish among non-professional church choirs to this day. His four-voiced English anthem Verily, verily I say unto you offers a perfect example.

Tallis' text comes from Jesus' mystical words to the disciples regarding the Bread of Life (John 6:53-56). Though His disciples grumbled on that day, and did not understand, later Christian thinkers have been unanimous in associating these words with the Sacrament of Communion: "For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed; he that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him." Tallis certainly composed the anthem for an English Communion service. He retains throughout the piece a simple chordal style, though both his melodies and harmonies subtly and effectively reflect the sense of his text. From the jaunty and attention-grabbing rhythms of the opening "verily" the composer proceeds into a more regular rhythm; at the same time, he wanders a bit harmonically, as if to evoke those who have no life. Stolid harmonic assurance, and a powerfully exciting cadence, are contrasted for the text "Whoso eateth my flesh...hath eternal life." A rapid and rising melodic sequence reflects the promise of being raised on the last day. The doctrinally important words about Jesus' flesh and blood leading to an indwelling relationship Tallis highlights through a balanced pair of strong but short phrases articulated by pauses and by a solemn slowing of the harmonic rhythm on the very final cadence.

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