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Click the picture to hear “Taps”

THE ORIGIN OF TAPS

      We have all heard the haunting melody of "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 pleased to find out about the humble beginning.
      Reportedly,it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing,Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Elliscombe heard the moans of a soldier who was 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 gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward the 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 was broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.
      The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status.
      The request was 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 denied since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him 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. The wish was granted. The haunting melody, which we now know as "TAPS" used a military funerals, was born.

             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,

Gleaning 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,
Then we know,
God is nigh.

      I, too, have felt the chills when listening to Taps. 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.
Quite a gripping story.

      The above coutesy of my sister, Lelia P. Crandall, Past Commander (twice) of the American Legion Post in Santa Ana, California.


      The following alternate verses are from the web-site of the West Point Military Academy.
      Click here to go to the Academy “Taps” web-page.
      
 

             TAPS

Day is done, gone the sun
From the hills, from the lakes
From the sky
All is well, safely rest
God is nigh

Go to sleep, peaceful sleep.
My the soldier or sailor.
God keep
On the land or the deep.
Safe in sleep.

Love, good night, Must thou go.
When the day, And the night
Need thee so?
All is well, Speedeth all
To their rest

Fades the light; And afar
Goeth day. And the stars
Shineth bright.
Fare thee well; Day has gone,
Night is on.

Thanks and praise, For our days,
‘Neath the sun, For ourdays,
‘Neath the sky,
God is nigh.


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FREEMASONRY
THE FOUNDATION FOR THE THIRD MILLENNIUM