thedrifter
04-07-03, 07:24 AM
THE STORY OF "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.
Sempers,
Roger
>
>
>
> 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.
Sempers,
Roger