Taps

 Read more from Marie

It all began, reportedly, during the American Civil War,  Union Captain Robert Ellicombe, with his men were camped near Harrison’s Landing in Virginia, with the Confederate Army on the other side of the narrow strip of land.

During the night, the Captain heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the battlefield. Not knowing whether it was friend or foe, the Captain decided to risk his own life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention.  Crawling on his stomach, he finally reached the wounded man and began pulling him back towards his Encampment, only to discover when he was back safely to his own lines, he had rescued a Confederate soldier, who unfortunately had died.

The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath, going numb with shock. For there in the dim light he saw the face of the rescued soldier – it was that of his own son!  The boy had enlisted in the Confederate Army without telling his father. He, the son, had been studying music in the South when war broke out, so he enlisted in the Confederate Army. Heartbroken, the following morning he asked his Superiors  permission to give his son a full military funeral. Despite his enemy status. His request was only partly granted. He had asked also for a group of Army Band members to play a dirge for his son at the funeral, but his request was denied.  – his son was a Confederate soldier. However, out of respect for the boy’s father they would give him one musician. The Captain choose a bugler and asked him to play a series of musical notes on a piece of paper he had found in his son’s uniform pocket. It was granted.

The haunting, poignant melody we know so well today as TAPS  was born to be played at every military funeral.

Do you know the words to it or even that there were words? Here they 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 the star
Gems the sky
Gleaming bright
From afar
Drawing nigh
Fails 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