Taps

[larrymeyer]

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. Until I read this, I didn't know, but I checked it out and 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.

Always Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country

[P89]

I knew the story & that there were words to it but never knew what they were...Thank you for sharing.

When I went to a funeral for a family friend who served in WWII, he requested two bagpipers play Amazing Grace instead, his parents were Irish imigrants.
Besides TAPS that is the only other song I have been so overwhelming impressed with. Royal Scots Dragoon Guards do a wonderful rendition of this, worth a listen.

[HiredGoon]

Not to be a smart-ass or anything, but that version of the origin of Taps, may not be true. It is disputed by many...here is another version of the bugle call's history:
http://www.west-point.org/taps/Taps.html

And also a quote from the site TruthOrFiction.com:
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/t/taps.htm

"According a researcher at West Point, there is no historical evidence that anyone named Robert Ellicombe even existed in the Union army. Master Sergeant Jari Villanueva is a part of the United States Air Force Band and is not only a historian about the tune "Taps," but is working on an exhibit for Arlington National Cemetery about bugle calls. Both he and Kathryn Shenkle, Historian for Arlington National Cemetery, agree that "Taps" came from Brig. General Daniel Butterfield at Harrison's Landing in Virginia in 1862. Sgt. Villanueva has found correspondence from both General Butterfield and a bugler which confirm the origins, although there are some minor discrepancies in their letters."

[ironhorse]

been awhile since a read that.. Thx for bringing it up.....

[DaveM55]

Interesting stories, but it doesn't matter who wrote, it always brings a tear.

It's the one part of a military funeral where I have to fight to keep my bearing. That and the twenty one gun salute.
Now does everyone know the origin of that.

How about the origin of the hand salute?

[c.sander]

how bout the origin of the 21 gun salute
1776
1+7+7+6=21

[larrymeyer]

How about the origin of the hand salute?

The Hand Salute I believe goes back to the middle ages when Knights would raise their right hand to show there was no sword are other wapon in it, They would also raise the visor on their helmet.

Another song that is played at British funerals is "Flowres of the Forest"

[soberbyker]

how bout the origin of the 21 gun salute
1776
1+7+7+6=21

The above is a myth, CLICK HERE

The below was taken from here: http://www.history.army.mil/faq/salute.htm

What is the origin of the 21-gun salute?

The use of gun salutes for military occasions is traced to early warriors who demonstrated their peaceful intentions by placing their weapons in a position that rendered them ineffective. Apparently this custom was universal, with the specific act varying with time and place, depending on the weapons being used. A North African tribe, for example, trailed the points of their spears on the ground to indicate that they did not mean to be hostile.

The tradition of rendering a salute by cannon originated in the 14th century as firearms and cannons came into use. Since these early devices contained only one projectile, discharging them once rendered them ineffective. Originally warships fired seven-gun salutes--the number seven probably selected because of its astrological and Biblical significance. Seven planets had been identified and the phases of the moon changed every seven days. The Bible states that God rested on the seventh day after Creation, that every seventh year was sabbatical and that the seven times seventh year ushered in the Jubilee year.

Land batteries, having a greater supply of gunpowder, were able to fire three guns for every shot fired afloat, hence the salute by shore batteries was 21 guns. The multiple of three probably was chosen because of the mystical significance of the number three in many ancient civilizations. Early gunpowder, composed mainly of sodium nitrate, spoiled easily at sea, but could be kept cooler and drier in land magazines. When potassium nitrate improved the quality of gunpowder, ships at sea adopted the salute of 21 guns.

The 21-gun salute became the highest honor a nation rendered. Varying customs among the maritime powers led to confusion in saluting and return of salutes. Great Britain, the world's preeminent seapower in the 18th and 19th centuries, compelled weaker nations to salute first, and for a time monarchies received more guns than did republics. Eventually, by agreement, the international salute was established at 21 guns, although the United States did not agree on this procedure until August 1875.

The gun salute system of the United States has changed considerably over the years. In 1810, the "national salute" was defined by the War Department as equal to the number of states in the Union--at that time 17. This salute was fired by all U.S. military installations at 1:00 p.m. (later at noon) on Independence Day. The President also received a salute equal to the number of states whenever he visited a military installation.

In 1842, the Presidential salute was formally established at 21 guns. In 1890, regulations designated the "national salute" as 21 guns and redesignated the traditional Independence Day salute, the "Salute to the Union," equal to the number of states. Fifty guns are also fired on all military installations equipped to do so at the close of the day of the funeral of a President, ex-President, or President-elect.

Today the national salute of 21 guns is fired in honor of a national flag, the sovereign or chief of state of a foreign nation, a member of a reigning royal family, and the President, ex-President and President-elect of the United States. It is also fired at noon of the day of the funeral of a President, ex-President, or President-elect.

Gun salutes are also rendered to other military and civilian leaders of this and other nations. The number of guns is based on their protocol rank. These salutes are always in odd numbers.

Source: Headquarters, Military District of Washington, FACT SHEET: GUN SALUTES, May 1969.

[Siobhra]

http://bands.army.mil/music/bugle/calls/taps.mp3