> A HISTORY OF 'TAPS" from Ed Arn via Trudy Limber > Four-for-Today -- Friday, November 10, 2000 -- > " We have all heard the haunting song, "Taps." It's the song that gives > us a lump in our throats and usually creates tears in our eyes. But, do you > know the story behind the song? . . If not, I think you'll be pleased to find > out about it's 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. ln the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was the face > of 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, the heartbroken 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 His wish was granted and the haunting melody, we now know as ' > Taps' that's used at military funerals, was born. > > 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. >