TAPS

I served as a Seabee for five years. I know taps quite well and just love to hear it playing. When I received The Story Behind the Haunting Song "TAPS"... via email, I began to wonder how true it was. See, my memory of the origin of TAPS is quite different then this story. So, I searched TAPS Origin using HotBot and found quite a few more interesting stories. I don't believe this story about the dead son. I can see the appeal, but do you really think a northern boy would join the southern army? What was his motive for joining? To own slaves? Money? The experience? Don't think so.

Yet, I did read in the summary for a civil war movie about rough riders. It was possible he son was a rough rider.

The moral here is, "Don't believe everything passed to you via email."

Me, I really don't care about the origin, just that it exists is good enough for me.

The Story Behind the Haunting Song "TAPS"...

According to an unknown writer, "Taps" is the song that gives us that 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 will be delighted to find out about it's humble beginnings.

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 mortally 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, he 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.

Taps

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.