Posted by
Nee on Thursday, September 13, 2007 3:33:16 PM
A fellow Veteran has asked me to post something near and dear to his heart. As a Trumpet player, he is very familiar with playing "Taps" for fallen troops and comrades. Perhaps he's not computer savvy, but I am and I will do this small thing. It is the history of Taps and the words that are sung, if you know them. I sang them with my Brownies at the end of our meetings....Here is the history of Taps and another poem to go along with it. When I read the words, I get choked up...If I even hear the Nationa l Anthem I get choked up...and today I found out that my best friend, and fellow comrade after making it back from an 18 month tour in Iraq, unscathed, has become a brain cancer patient. It shouldn't happen to someone like him. Say a prayer, and with any luck, he will be here long into the sunset of life.
If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in
which Taps was played; this brings out a new meaning
to it. Here is something Every American should know...but
most don't, until they read this:
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.
Lyrics for Taps
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.
Neat the sun ...
Neat the stars...
Neat the sky.
As we go
This we know.
God is nigh