The Genesis of "Taps"
(Revised 11-18-01)

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 moan of a soldier who lay mortally 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.  Suddenly, he 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, he 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 partially granted. The captain had asked if he could  have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for the son at the funeral.  That request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.  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 his dead  son's uniform.  This wish was granted.  This music was the haunting melody  we now know as "Taps" that is used at all military funerals.
 
 

I too, have felt the chills while listening to "Taps" but have never seen all the words 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. 

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. 

Submitted by:
    R, Mike Clausen, former Lcpl. USMC
    Ron DeBrincat, former Capt. USMCR

Revised to include all verses by:
    John H. "Big John" LaVoy, Colonel USMC (Ret)

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