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Just an interesting E-mail I got from my sister and yes I never knew this either and I spent 4 years in the Air force.
TAPS
If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps
wereplayed;
this brings out a new meaning of it. Here is something EVERY AMERICAN
should
know. Until I read this, I didn't know, but I checked it out and it's
true:
TAPS
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
theConfederate 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.
I didn't know this -- thought it was appropriate to send this in honor
of
Memorial Day.............
REMEMBER THOSE LOST AND HARMED WHILE SERVING THEIR
COUNTRY.
And also those presently serving in the Armed Forces..
_________________
Mnonoke 40 Druid
Kcaat Uhtonic 42 Beastlord
Maralyin 25 Bard
Zebthil 23 Necromancer
"May the sands of time never get in your lunch"
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