Taps:

[StephenLawson]

If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps were played; this brings out a new meaning of it. 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 him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead 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 we go. 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.

Edited June 22, 2006 by StephenLawson

[buellmeister]

Incredible bit of History!

Joel

[ehrentitle]

I work as a volunteer at a US Army military museum where we see about a dozen queries about the history of Taps each year. The above story is an e-mail/internet urban myth that has been circulating for about 8 years. It is well documented that Civil War Union General Daniel Butterfield was instrumental in revising an earlier bugle call into Taps. See:

http://www.west-point.org/taps/Taps.html

Edited June 22, 2006 by ehrentitle

[gregM]

GREAT thread Stephen. I never knew there were lyrics to Taps.

Back in the '70s my best friend was buried with a full military service.

To this day I have a hard time hearing Taps without getting a lump in

my throat.

[Bob Hunter]

As ehrentitle notes it is a nice story but only that. Danny Butterfield gets the credit for this one.

[StephenLawson]

It is great to be able to bring the truth to light. The emotional stories we hear so often about historical events are more often tan not just fanciful yarns.