Posted on 01/25/2019 3:32:55 AM PST by sodpoodle
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
I have never seen all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know there was more than one verse.
The version shown above is the “Fantasy”
Shhhh....If the left knew the words, they would become triggered and demand the song be banned for violating the “establishment clause”.
“Taps” was written by Union General Daniel Butterfield. It was originally known as “Butterfield’s Lullaby”.
Of all sites into referring the to the origin of Taps, I found this on an NPR interview to be most interesting.
“Taps historian Jari Villanueva, a former ceremonial bugler at Arlington National Cemetery, discusses the evolution of the song”
https://www.npr.org/2011/05/30/136721508/historian-explains-the-origin-of-taps
Day is done, gone the sun, From the lake, from the hills, from the sky .. All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.
If that won’t make chills go up and down your body, you’re a damn democrat.
"Lights Out" March<-Arthur Pryor's Band (1911)
During the break in the middle of the tune, the performer, Nini Rosso says,
"Buonanotte, amore, ti vedrò nei miei sogni.
Buonanotte a te che sei lontana."(Good night, my love, I'll see you in my dreams
Good night to you, so far away.)
Il Silenzio (the silence)--Nini Rosso (1965)
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