Guest guest Posted July 8, 2004 Report Share Posted July 8, 2004 Do you know the sory behind " TAPS " ? If you al don't I would like to share it with you all. Here it is: > 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 Ellicombe was with his men near '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. > > REMEMBER THOSE LOST AND HARMED WHILE SERVING THEIR COUNTRY. > And remember also those presently serving in the Armed Forces. > > Please send this on after a short prayer. > A Prayer wheel for our soldiers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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