If any of
you have ever been to a
military funeral in which taps were
played; this
brings out a new meaning of it.
Here is
something Every American should
know. Until I read this,
I didn't know, but I checked it out and it's true: We in the
United States have all heard the haunting song, "Taps". It's
the song that gives us that lump in our
throats and usually tears in our
eyes.
But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you
will be
interested to find out about its humble beginnings.
Reportedly, it all
began in 1862 during the Civil
War, when Union
Army
Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in
Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other
side of the narrow
strip of land.
During the night,
Captain Ellicombe
heard the moans of a soldier who
lay
severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate
soldier, the Captain
decided to risk his life and bring the
stricken man back for medical
attention. Crawling on his stomach
through
the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and
began pulling
him
toward his encampment.
When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was
actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.
The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light,
he saw the face of the soldier. It
was his
own son. The boy had been studying music
in the South when the war broke
out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army. The following
morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission
of his
superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status.
His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked
if he could have a group of Army band members
play
a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned
down since the soldier
was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they
did say they
could give himonly one musician. The Captain chose a
bugler. He
asked the bugler to play a seriesof
musical notes he had found on a
piece of paper in the pocket of thedead
youth's uniform. This wish
was granted.
The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" ... used
at military funerals was
born. The
words are ...
Day is done .. Gone the sun ...
From the lakes ...From the hills
From the sky ... All
is well .
Safely rest ..
God is nigh...
Fading light ... Dims the sight ..
And a star ... Gems the sky ...
Gleaming bright ... From afar ..
Drawing nigh
Falls the night ...
Thanks and praise ... For our days ...
Neath the sun ... Neath the stars...Neath
the sky ...
As wego . This we know ..
God is nigh
...
I, too, have felt the chills while listening to "Taps" but I have
never
seen all the words to the song
until now. I didn't even know there was
more than one verse. I also never
knew the story behind the song and I
didn't know if you had either so I
thought I'd pass it along. I now have an even
deeper respect for the song than I did
before.
Remember Those
Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country.
And also those presently serving in the Armed Forces..