wovenwonder
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2001
- Messages
- 4,154
TAPS
We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, "Taps."
It's the ong 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.
REMEMBER THOSE LOST AND HARMED WHILE SERVING THEIR COUNTRY. And
also those presently serving in the Armed Forces.
We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, "Taps."
It's the ong 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.
REMEMBER THOSE LOST AND HARMED WHILE SERVING THEIR COUNTRY. And
also those presently serving in the Armed Forces.
