I don't think this has been posted recently. I assume it's true.

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.

 

According to the "Urban Legends" website, this story is a legend. To read what they have to say, go to the website, use the search function using "Taps".

http://www.snopes2.com/

I do agree with you about "Taps" being a very memorable song, hauntingly beautiful. I am touched every time I hear it played.

 

I was hoping it wasn't a urban legend. I'll try and do more homework next time. Thanks for letting me know.

It is still a haunting song though. How the guys that play it get through it with out choking up I'll never know.

 

Gotta agree with ya there Dan.

That's the thing with a lot of urban legends. Even if they ain't true, they oughta be.

 

my Afi (grandfather in icelandic) was a GS-18 and a gifted engineer in the civil service and was responsable for the design and construction of the air base in Guam. he died in 1997 at the age of 85.

at his funeral i was able to keep my composure until two Navy sailors slowly folded the flag draped over my Afi's coffin while a bugler played "Taps". the sailors handed the folded flag to my cousin who was active duty USAF at the time. with tears in his eyes, he presented the flag to my Amma (icelandic for grandma) and snaped a salute to her. i compleatly lost it at that point, i was sitting next to my Amma holding her hand.

"taps" is a song that even before that day was powerful to me.

 

I had heard Taps a million times in my life on TV and the like, and it never really had that much effect on me. Then I heard it the day we buried my grandad at Fort Logan Cemetary, and it rocked me to the core. I guess it was the atmosphere of the situation, mostly, but what sticks with me is the sound of it played by the single bugler standing 20 yards off...
Whenever I recall that day, I hear it playing in my head the whole time... I really miss him....
BDV

 

Once a week every Thursday night except during the summer & Christmas Holiday's for 4 years.... in Scouts.
We ended every meeting with taps.
We sang the words to the 1st verse.

 

I hear it every night at 2230 hours. Never gets old.

 

Due to the fact that I live right across from the New London sub base , if I am out side I can hear it. I agree with icelander and bdv I can remember it at my grandfathers funeral. Mil1ion at the end of the day during the campouts my best friend always played tapps as we took the flag down and folded it . Scouts taught me alot about the flag me and my country and I am proud to say that I achieved my Eagle ..It would really be nice if that urban legend was true , who knows