The words to TAPS

[chucktoo1926]

Subject: Taps
If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps were played; this brings out a new meaning of it...
Here is something EVERY AMERICAN should know.
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. And also those
presently serving in the Armed Forces..
Required... Just hum the music, and it will get you.

[QM3steve]

The other song that will give you the lump, if it doesn't bring tears, is "Amazing Grace," Best played on bagpipes.

[Robert Ryan]

Taps definelty hits me, maybe because I just don't associate it with 22:00 playing, It seems most of the times I have heard taps is when a brother or sister has fallen.

[Jerry D]

Taps another haunting reminder of the sacrifices made during the Civil War with brother against brother, father against son , and cousin against cousin. I had them all in my Family two uncles and a cousin in the Union army and Three Uncles and a Grandfather in the Confederate States Army. Archimedes Brown USA is Buried at Stone River Battlefield,TN all the others are buried back in Missouri,Ill, and Texas.
When we buried my Brother in law last fall he was a 60's era veteran and was buried with full military honors and Taps was played and it hit home too.