Posted on 10/16/2017 9:46:20 AM PDT by UMCRevMom@aol.com
History Channel Origin of Taps includes the history of Taps and a look at the Broken Note at John F Kennedy's funeral in 1963
I’m glad this is here. It drives me nuts when people say “Il Silencio” is the long version of Taps.
Still gives me the chills thinking about it.
On still nights when I was a kid you could hear taps being played at 10pm at the Naval Base a mile+ away.
Great memories of that.
My daughter, a trumpet play has played the echo. It’s really chilling. I think Taps is played with all the valves open.
Lyrics to Taps:
Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, 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.
Sun has set, shadows come,
Time has fled, Scouts must go to their beds
Always true to the promise that they made.
While the light fades from sight,
And the stars gleaming rays softly send,
To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.
Taps was originally known as Butterfield’s Lullaby.
Civil War General Daniel Butterfield was famous for writing
bugle calls specific tohis command.
Someone who commented on Mel Carter’s Taps video is a direct descendent of Gen Butterfield.
good on your daughter. Hope she keeps playing. I played band coronet and trumpet and regret I stopped playing.
I’ve seen most trumpeters play taps as open.
check out this thread from trumpeters - military and others, on how taps is played in different keys for diffreent reasons.
https://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9283&sid=7dd1b9877918646e44ff5790aaac0cd5
I went to the dedication of a band room dedicated to a friend of mine who died years ago in Vietnam and they played “echo” taps in the auditorium. Maybe because the venue was too small, but I didn’t really like it. Also had high school trumpeters.
Went to a friend’s dad’s funeral in Montgomery (AL) couple years ago. The deceased was a WWII vet (European theater).
Took me 10 or 15 seconds to realize Taps was being played by a soldier. He played it so perfectly I thought it was a recording. It was amazing.
There was dead silence in the moments before Taps was played.
Soon as the soldier started playing it a Mockingbird broke out in song like it was early spring.
Golly, that was so interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Taps
In a quiet hospital ward an old soldier is dying.
A young hospital orderly sits by his side. As the
dying man gasps a few words the notes of Taps float
in the open window.
"Fades the light ... and afar ... goeth day, cometh night ..."
"Yes, it's almost finished ... my hitch is done
I've done my duty ... I've known some friends.
It was well worthwhile ... I've no regrets.
I hate to leave the Army but my discharges comes
'From Higher Authority' than my own C. O.
Seven hash marks. Son: will you show as much?
And all my characters were 'Excellent'!
"And a star ... guideth all ..."
"I had my star, too, not in cash
But the flaunting of a bit of color at sunset
I ain't talked about it much, a man don't talk
About the things he feels. I've loved it though ...
"Leadeth all ... to ... their ... rest."
"Adios, Kid! I'm done ... one thing though ...
Tell that recruit in my squadroom to strai ...
Ah-h-h-h!"
The bugler lights a cigarette and throws away the match.
Taps history told by John Wayne
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usk81XVsE9o
Lights Out March (aka Fight for California)--The University of California Marching Band
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