Taps

I never knew what TAPS meant until I read this...thought you guys may like to as well...

Subject: " Where Taps came from"


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 North American should know.. Until I read this:

We in the North America 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 surprising and 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 w as 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 that 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.

 

Hey Keith! !! Very interesting! !! I have heard the words but never new the story behind it, I even got chills reading the story!!

 

Good information on the subject here. http://www.tapsbugler.com/

 

Not true.
http://www.snopes.com/music/songs/taps.asp

It's adopted from a French bugle call named "Tattoo" which means "lights out".

 

It may not be true but it made a heck of a good story

 

I suppose I should have looked it up first, I'm usually good about that. BUT, oh well...another urban legend. Thanks for clearing it up.