Taps

[Gunner46]

I never knew.. DID YOU?
If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps was played; this brings out a new meaning of it.
We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, 'Taps...' It's the song that gives us the 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 Elli 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 Elli 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

Remember Those Who Have Served And Returned; and for those presently serving in the Armed Forces.
Please send this on after a short prayer.
Make this a Prayer wheel for our soldiers ... please don't break it.
I didn't!

 

[kansasdad]

Salute!!

 

[Jbotto]

I’ve heard the story and tried to read the lyrics every time I played it for a funeral. Played trumpet in high school and was asked to play at a few funerals. Didn’t make it all the way through it for my own grandpa’s private burial service.

 

[Steiny77]

Friend of mine is a professional trumpet player. He's retired military and actually played trumpet as his job the entire 20+ year career.
Said he played Taps for and an untold number of military funerals for everyday soldiers and some pretty big names and high ranking officers.

It's a very respectful send off.

 

[FamilyMan]

Sorry, but that story seems very unlikely to be true. The first clue is that "During the night" he was "Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire". There was very little in the way of nighttime battles/gunfire during the Civil War. At best he might have had to be cautious about drawing fire from picket lines. Then of course there is the highly unlikely coincidence that he happened to come across his own son in the dark of a battlefield. I also remember reading in Killer Angles something about Union General Butterfield being the one credited with writing Taps.

After a quick search I found the following link giving the real story.

The Origins of 'Taps'

An old rumor tells of how the "Taps" military bugle song supposedly originated from a composition found in a dead soldier's pocket.

www.snopes.com

 

[gouch]

Sorry, but that story seems very unlikely to be true. The first clue is that "During the night" he was "Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire". There was very little in the way of nighttime battles/gunfire during the Civil War. At best he might have had to be cautious about drawing fire from picket lines. Then of course there is the highly unlikely coincidence that he happened to come across his own son in the dark of a battlefield. I also remember reading in Killer Angles something about Union General Butterfield being the one credited with writing Taps.

After a quick search I found the following link giving the real story.

The Origins of 'Taps'

An old rumor tells of how the "Taps" military bugle song supposedly originated from a composition found in a dead soldier's pocket.

www.snopes.com

Never let the facts get in the way of a good story.

 

[KB_]

Sorry, but that story seems very unlikely to be true. The first clue is that "During the night" he was "Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire". There was very little in the way of nighttime battles/gunfire during the Civil War. At best he might have had to be cautious about drawing fire from picket lines. Then of course there is the highly unlikely coincidence that he happened to come across his own son in the dark of a battlefield. I also remember reading in Killer Angles something about Union General Butterfield being the one credited with writing Taps.

After a quick search I found the following link giving the real story.

The Origins of 'Taps'

An old rumor tells of how the "Taps" military bugle song supposedly originated from a composition found in a dead soldier's pocket.

www.snopes.com

Jesus dude its a story from 1862, no kidding its probably not perfectly accurate. But absolutely fathers and sons ended up on opposite sides in that war. The point was the pain he endured.

 

[LuketheDog]

Sorry, but that story seems very unlikely to be true. The first clue is that "During the night" he was "Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire". There was very little in the way of nighttime battles/gunfire during the Civil War. At best he might have had to be cautious about drawing fire from picket lines. Then of course there is the highly unlikely coincidence that he happened to come across his own son in the dark of a battlefield. I also remember reading in Killer Angles something about Union General Butterfield being the one credited with writing Taps.

After a quick search I found the following link giving the real story.

The Origins of 'Taps'

An old rumor tells of how the "Taps" military bugle song supposedly originated from a composition found in a dead soldier's pocket.

www.snopes.com

Ah, Snopes.com, a pillar of truth disputing an unproven anecdote by using another unproven anecdote.

https://www.ausa.org/history-taps

 

[TN2shot07]

Sorry, but that story seems very unlikely to be true. The first clue is that "During the night" he was "Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire". There was very little in the way of nighttime battles/gunfire during the Civil War. At best he might have had to be cautious about drawing fire from picket lines. Then of course there is the highly unlikely coincidence that he happened to come across his own son in the dark of a battlefield. I also remember reading in Killer Angles something about Union General Butterfield being the one credited with writing Taps.

After a quick search I found the following link giving the real story.

The Origins of 'Taps'

An old rumor tells of how the "Taps" military bugle song supposedly originated from a composition found in a dead soldier's pocket.

www.snopes.com

 

[Derek44]

Please join me in a moment of silence while we play taps for this thread. Surely soon to be locked. Damn. It’s no wonder we can’t have nice things.

 

[Redmt]

At my Dad's private funeral a Military Guard played Taps. It brings on overwhelming emotions. He died in 2007. He would have been 101 yesterday. RIP Dad.