Something I found out recently and you may already know but I thought it worth posting!
We have all heard the haunting melody of "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 pleased 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, 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 young soldier who was 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 the encampment. When Captain Ellicombe 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 as he 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 had enlisted in the Confederate Army. The following morning, heartbroken, the Union officer and father asked permission to give his son a full military burial, despite his Confederate
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 denied, since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, he was given permission for 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, which we now know as "Taps" used at military funerals, was born.
The words were penned sometime later:
"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.
Gleaning 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."
