Taps

The myth of taps (and myth it may be, but I think it is a good story. Makes you stop and think, which I believe to be a good thing in and of itself):


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.

      TAPS

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.  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..

For the true story go here and here.