The true story of the bugle call, "Taps"

"Taps" is thought to be a revision of an old French bugle signal called "Tattoo" that told the troops to cease their evening's drinking and prepare for another call to extinguish fires an hour later. The word "taps" is an alteration of the obsolete word "taptoo," derived from the Dutch "taptoe" which meant to shut the tap of a keg. During the Civil War, In July, 1862, Union General Daniel Adams Butterfield hummed a version of the old "Tattoo" to an aide, who wrote it down to music. The Brigade bugler, Oliver W. Norton, experimented with the notes until Butterfield was satisfied with the melody. Noton played the new call at the end of each day thereafter, instead of the regulation call, and it's popularity was quick to spread-even to Confederate units. Originally intended and used as a "lights out" call, the earliest reference to the mandatory use of "taps" at military funeral ceremonies is found in the U.S. Army Infantry Drill Regulations for 1891, although it undoubtedly was used unofficially long before that time.

--Excerpted from research by Master Sergeant Jari A. Villanueva, U.S. Air Force Band.

The actual lyrics to the hauntingly sad tribute to fallen soldiers is as follows:

Day is Done,
Gone the Sun,
From the Earth,
From the Hill,
From the Sky.
All is Well,
Safely Rest,
God is Nigh.

If you are military personnel, and happen to be on base at "taps"(the taking down of the flag at days' end), you are to turn toward the flag and salute. A salute you hold until the song is ended and the flag is down.

Just in case anyone ever wondered.....

Chuck

 

We used to play at Scouts in the 60's also.

When I was a little guy,I thought taps meant " When someone taps you
on the shoulder it was time to go to bed"


[font color=red]Dennis

Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font]


[link:www.ford-trucks.com/guidelines.html|FTEModerator]

http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Minimorleytruck.JPG

http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Mil1ion.html

[font color=red]
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's" [/font]

[font color=blue]78 F-150 429CJ,Silver,Explorer Pkg.
[/font]

 

Why did I bother with school? I learn more interesting stuff right here.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 13-Jun-02 AT 00:50 AM (EST)]Very interesting story, I believe when the Colors are retired in the evening the note of Retreat is sounded followed by Too the colors. I could be wrong though as its been years since experience the cerimony.

 

Correction, the only time you salute Taps is when it is played at a Military funeral. otherwise uniformed personnel will stand at attention, and face the flag.

Cadet Second Lieutenant John F. Daly III
South Carolina Corps of Cadets, The Citadel
The TorqueKing

 

>Correction, the only time you salute Taps is when it is
>played at a Military funeral. otherwise uniformed personnel
>will stand at attention, and face the flag.
>
>Cadet Second Lieutenant John F. Daly III
>South Carolina Corps of Cadets, The Citadel
>The TorqueKing

I stand corrected. TorqueKing is absolutely right. And he should know. (His signature). Thanks.

Chuck

 

>>Correction, the only time you salute Taps is when it is
>>played at a Military funeral. otherwise uniformed personnel
>>will stand at attention, and face the flag.
>>
>>Cadet Second Lieutenant John F. Daly III
>>South Carolina Corps of Cadets, The Citadel
>>The TorqueKing
>
> I stand corrected. TorqueKing is absolutely right. And
>he should know. (His signature). Thanks.
>
>Chuck
>

P.S. Bet you didn't know the words though TK! Nyah! lol


Chuck

 

I know I did, Chuck.

I sang/said it enough

[font color=red]Dennis

Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font]


[link:www.ford-trucks.com/guidelines.html|FTEModerator]

http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Minimorleytruck.JPG

http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Mil1ion.html

[font color=red]
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's" [/font]

[font color=blue]78 F-150 429CJ,Silver,Explorer Pkg.
[/font]

 

>I know I did, Chuck.
>
>I sang/said it enough
>
>Dennis,
What did/do they call the scouts up there? BSC (like the BSA), or "Junior Mounties", or what? Just wondering.

Chuck

 

"COLORS" (or "Attention to colors") is the saluted one, world-wide.

At the time the colors (national flag, or ensign) is retired at sundown ON ALL MILITARY INSTALLATIONS - we all stop whatever we are doing, face the nearest flag (all of which come down at the same time, in ceremony) and those in uniform salute, while if in "civvies" it is customary to place the right hand over the heart - or if wearing a hat to remove it with the right hand, and cover the heart with it.

There is generally a bugle call played, over loud speakers, to signal the official sundown. And on ships it is played over the "1MC" or "Captains" channel to the installed public address speakers aboard.


This is done every day, at sundown. It honors those who came before us, and in a way connects the present day troops to those who have stood in their places down through the years....

Those who lived, retired, and/or DIED for our country - in the service of people we have never known.

A simple tradition. But one that will never die!

~ Petty Officer First Class "Wolf", [font color=blue]United States Navy[/font]

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 13-Jun-02 AT 09:04 PM (EST)]>>I know I did, Chuck.
>>
>>I sang/said it enough
>>
>>Dennis,
> What did/do they call the scouts up there? BSC (like
>the BSA), or "Junior Mounties", or what? Just
>wondering.
>
>Chuck


Junior Mountie's ? hahahahahahaha
We always get our Women !

No, The Boy Scouts Of Canada was the offical name,once they ALLOWED Girls to join in with the BOYS The re-named it "Scouts Canada"

A sad day for me it was.

They didn't have to let them in ,they could have their own group besides Brownie's & Guide's.

Gee, How About call them " Girl Scouts "

Then there would be "Boy Scouts" & "Girl Scouts",What a concept? Girls on their own with their leaders could learn all the things the Boys do without interference.

Let the boys be boys and the girls be .....

Later in life(their 20's) they could have the " Promicuious Scouts"

[font color=red]Dennis

Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font]


[link:www.ford-trucks.com/guidelines.html|FTEModerator]

http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Minimorleytruck.JPG

http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Mil1ion.html

[font color=red]
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's" [/font]

[font color=blue]78 F-150 429CJ,Silver,Explorer Pkg.
[/font]

 

Greywolf,
Thank you for this post.It's been a long time since my military service. Guess I need to brush up on protocol. Between yourself and TK, I had better get my facts straight. I'm in the same boat with Pepper 32. I remembered what you're supposed to do, but I didn't remember the names. I'll try and keep it straight from now on...

Formerly Sra. "Chuck" Greene F-4 Crew Chief, USAF '86-'90

BTW,I salute you sir for your present service in that most noble of our military divisions. My family has been extensively involved with the U.S. Navy. A proud tradition of service.

Grandfather- WWII, U.S.S. Ticonderoga (CV-14), on board when she took a kamikaze down the stack off Okinawa.

Great Uncle- WWII, U.S.S. North Carolina (BB-55), enlisted at 17 "to fight the Japanese". Saw extensive service as a gunners mate.

Uncle- U.S.S. Enterprise (Viet Nam era)
Uncle- U.S.S. Von Steuben (SSBN-632)
Uncle- Originally on U.S.S. Von Steuben (SSBN-632) now an E-8 (Master? Senior Chief Petty Officer) in Navy Procurement.

NAVY...It ain't no adventure, it's a freakin' job!lol