Holdimhook
Chief Petty Officer
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2005
- Messages
- 648
I don't know if any of you have seen this or not, but I was moved by it:<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------<br /><br /><br /> Taps<br />><br />>If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps were<br />>played; this brings out a new meaning of it.<br />><br />>Here is something Every American should know. Until I read this, I<br />>didn't know, but I checked it out and it's true:<br />><br />>We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, "Taps". It's<br />>the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our<br />>eyes.<br />><br />>But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be<br />>interested to find out about its humble beginnings.<br />><br />>Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army<br />>Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison 's Landing in<br />>Virginia The Confederate Army was on! the other side of the narrow<br />>strip of land.<br />><br />>During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay<br />>severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or<br />>Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the<br />>stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach<br />>through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began<br />>pulling him toward his encampment.<br />><br />>When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was<br />>actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.<br />><br />>The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb<br />>with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his<br />>own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke<br />>out. Without telling his father, the boy enlist! ed in the Confederate<br />>Army.<br />><br />>The following mornin g, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his<br />>superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy<br />>status. His request was only partially granted.<br />><br />>The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play<br />>a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral.<br />><br />>The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.<br />><br />>But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him<br />>only one musician.<br />><br />>The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of<br />>musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead<br />>youth's uniform.<br />><br />>This wish was granted.<br />><br />>The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" ... used at military funerals<br />>was born.<br />><br />>The words are :<br />>Day is done... Gone the sun. From the lakes. From the hills.<br />>From the sky. All is ! well. Safely rest. God is nigh.<br />><br />>Fading light.<br />>Dims the sight. And a star. Gems the sky. Gleaming bright.<br />>From afar. Drawing nigh.<br />>Falls the night. Thanks and praise. For ourdays.<br />>Neath the sun. Neath the stars. Neath the sky. As we go.<br />>This we know. God is nigh.<br />><br />><br />>I too have felt the chills while listening to "Taps" but I have never<br />>seen all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know there was<br />>more than one verse. I also never knew the story behind the song and I<br />>didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it along.<br />><br />>I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before.<br />><br />>Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country.<br />><br />>And also those presently serving in the Armed Forces
