Re: Taps

[bruce dean <brucestclairdean@yahoo.com>]

What a beautiful if sad story about "Taps".  It is a
lovely tune which I've enjoyed for many decades.

I am also presently enjoying "The Rosslyn Chapel Suite
& Amazing Grace" CD provided by Rory (bagpipes) and
Malacolm (vocals).  This Clan correspondance should be
upgraded to include more music since the family has
such talented and spirit-filled musicians. 

Thank you, Rory and Malcolm,

Bruce (on Long Island).


--- RSinclair2@aol.com wrote:
> We all have heard the haunting melody of "Taps."  
> 
> It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats
> and usually tears in our 
> eyes.  I have had that lump in my throat and tears
> in my eyes hundreds of 
> times.  But do you know the story behind the song? 
> If not, I think you will 
> be pleased to find out about its humble beginnings.
> 
> Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil
> War, when Union Army 
> Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near
> Harrison's Landing, Virginia.  
> The Confederate Army was on the other side of the
> narrow strip of land.
> 
> During the night, Captain Ellisombe heard the moans
> of a soldier who was 
> 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 the 
> 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 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 denied since the soldier
> was a Confederate.
>    
> But, out of respect for the father, they did say
> they could give him 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, which we now know as "Taps"
> used at military funerals, 
> was born.
> 
> 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, 
> Gleaning 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.
> 
> Rufus Sinclair
> 


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