We have all heard the haunting song "Taps." It's 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? The Rest of The Story. I think you will be pleased to find out about its humble beginnings.eportedly, it all begins 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, lthe 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 reached his own lines, he discovered it acturally was aConfederate 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. Wiothout 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 turned down since the soldier was a Conferdrate. 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.
These are the words:
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.
