ShiningIce
3rd Level Green Feather
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2002
- Messages
- 4,703
- Points
- 36
A Sad Tale
We have all heard the haunting song, "TAPS." It's the song that gives
> us
> that lump in our throats and usually creates tears in our eyes. But,
> do
> you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be pleased
> to
> find out about it's 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 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.
>
> 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,
> 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.
We have all heard the haunting song, "TAPS." It's the song that gives
> us
> that lump in our throats and usually creates tears in our eyes. But,
> do
> you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be pleased
> to
> find out about it's 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 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.
>
> 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,
> 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.
Last edited:
