TAPS
Why Taps is played.
If any of you have ever been to a
military funeral in which Taps was played, this will bring 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 is
the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears to 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 to bring the striken 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 now 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 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
notes he 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.