> 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. > > And also those presently serving in the Armed Forces. > Forwarded by CSN