LazyK
Silver Member
The words to \"Taps\"
Background: There are several versions that I've heard about the origin of the words to "Taps". My own version of "Taps" came from several sources. As to the story of how the words came to be "Taps", the following version has a poignant drama
that challenges credibility, but tugs at our heart. This Civil War story taxes credibility and coincidence somewhat, but, no matter what the real origins were, the word-pictures portrayed by "Taps" remind us that a soldier dying in the line of duty becomes a special Soul.
Does this dirge move you? Last year, at the National Cemetery in Riverside California, my Father-in-Law, Conrad F. Necrason, was being honored by an Air Force bugler playing "Taps". General 'Nick' taught me the words to this haunting melody so I sang "Taps" to those assembled, trying not to let the lump in my throat interfere with the tear in my eye. The melody is familiar to most, perhaps even the words.
The story behind the notes , words, and melody is the stuff of American legend and questionable myth. Here's a story to tag your feelings:
As I have been told by a Civil War buff, it all began in 1862, when a 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 soldier wounded and laying out in 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 dangerous random gunfire, the Captain reached the viciously
wounded soldier and pulled him toward the encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered the man was a Confederate soldier and, sadly, a dead one. 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 had enlisted in the Confederate Army.
The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked for permission to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status.
His request was only partially granted. the Captain had asked if a group of Army band members could play a dirge for his son at the burial cermony. The request was denied since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they gave him one musician.
The Captain chose a bugler. He asked him to play a series of musical notes found on a piece of paper from the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted.
The haunting melody, which we know as "Taps" used at military funerals, was born:
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 night
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.......
I didn't know there was more than one verse. A wonderful Master Chief, retired now, off the SSBN ALASKA, taught me the second verse.
I now have an even deeper respect for the song called "Taps". Just wanted to share this with TBN.
Lazy K - Chip <P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by LazyK on 02/03/01 06:23 PM (server time).</FONT></P>
Background: There are several versions that I've heard about the origin of the words to "Taps". My own version of "Taps" came from several sources. As to the story of how the words came to be "Taps", the following version has a poignant drama
that challenges credibility, but tugs at our heart. This Civil War story taxes credibility and coincidence somewhat, but, no matter what the real origins were, the word-pictures portrayed by "Taps" remind us that a soldier dying in the line of duty becomes a special Soul.
Does this dirge move you? Last year, at the National Cemetery in Riverside California, my Father-in-Law, Conrad F. Necrason, was being honored by an Air Force bugler playing "Taps". General 'Nick' taught me the words to this haunting melody so I sang "Taps" to those assembled, trying not to let the lump in my throat interfere with the tear in my eye. The melody is familiar to most, perhaps even the words.
The story behind the notes , words, and melody is the stuff of American legend and questionable myth. Here's a story to tag your feelings:
As I have been told by a Civil War buff, it all began in 1862, when a 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 soldier wounded and laying out in 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 dangerous random gunfire, the Captain reached the viciously
wounded soldier and pulled him toward the encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered the man was a Confederate soldier and, sadly, a dead one. 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 had enlisted in the Confederate Army.
The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked for permission to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status.
His request was only partially granted. the Captain had asked if a group of Army band members could play a dirge for his son at the burial cermony. The request was denied since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they gave him one musician.
The Captain chose a bugler. He asked him to play a series of musical notes found on a piece of paper from the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted.
The haunting melody, which we know as "Taps" used at military funerals, was born:
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 night
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.......
I didn't know there was more than one verse. A wonderful Master Chief, retired now, off the SSBN ALASKA, taught me the second verse.
I now have an even deeper respect for the song called "Taps". Just wanted to share this with TBN.
Lazy K - Chip <P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by LazyK on 02/03/01 06:23 PM (server time).</FONT></P>
