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 Harris'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.
