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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