I am interested in this Community, County, and the beautiful state of Idaho. Most of my photos will be in Idaho, but from time to time, they will be my vacations aay from Idaho. You'll see lots of my Children and Grand children, along with others in my family. Of course there will be horses and horse related things, and things I photo'd horseback.

From an Email

Posted Friday, February 10, 2012, at 2:32 PM

With such discontent abounding, I thought I'd share something that we can all agree to agree on.

If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps was played; this brings out a new meaning of it.

Here is something Every American should know. Until I read this, I didn't know, but I checked it out and it's true: We in the United States have all heard the haunting song,

'Taps...' It's the song that gives us the lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes.

But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings. Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Elli 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 Elli 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. The words are:

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.
Neath the sky 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. Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country.

Also Remember Those Who Have Served And Returned; and for those presently serving in the Armed Forces.

Have a good weekend Everyone. I will be out photgraphing beautiful things!

Jessie

Comments

View 16 comments

Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.

Thanks for sharing the story behind this song. I have to walk out a room even if it is played on TV. Knowing the story behind the song might make it more bearable.

-- Posted by B Mullen on Fri, Feb 10, 2012, at 3:19 PM
Until I read this, I didn't know, but I checked it out and it's true:

Really???

You need to read:

http://tapsbugler.com/the-taps-myth/

We are offering a gold plated bugle to anyone who can prove this story!

-- Posted by tapsbugler on Fri, Feb 10, 2012, at 3:27 PM
Bugler, if this is NOT true & it's offensive to you, I do apologize.

However ... my purpose wax only to leave a good feel feeling.

When I posted it, I thought "At least no controversy here!"

Jessie

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Fri, Feb 10, 2012, at 3:56 PM
Partly amazed tapsbugler found this so fast!

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Fri, Feb 10, 2012, at 3:57 PM
Jessie, I'm sure you meant well. There are some of us out here that whenever we see "I checked it out and it's true" the "BS" light comes on because of all the scam emails floating around. We mean no disrespect.

-- Posted by BigRedYeti on Fri, Feb 10, 2012, at 4:47 PM
I got it in an email, so I never "checked it out and Irs true" said that in the title. Whether I like something or not, I don't claim it's mine.

I just liked it.

I take no offence ... just have a good weekend!

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Fri, Feb 10, 2012, at 5:24 PM
God willing I have heard TAPS played for the last time in my family, but here lately, I'm not so sure.

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Fri, Feb 10, 2012, at 5:32 PM
Buckshot, if Wayne were at it again, you would know it!

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Fri, Feb 10, 2012, at 7:40 PM
"The true story is that in July 1862, after the Seven Days battles at Harrison's Landing (near Richmond), Virginia, the wounded Commander of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, V Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, General Daniel Butterfield reworked, with his bugler Oliver Wilcox Norton, another bugle call, "Scott Tattoo," to create Taps. He thought that the regular call for Lights Out was too formal. Taps was adopted throughout the Army of the Potomac and finally confirmed by orders. Soon other Union units began using Taps, and even a few Confederate units began using it as well. After the war, Taps became an official bugle call. Col. James A. Moss, in his Officer's Manual first published in 1911, gives an account of the initial use of Taps at a military funeral:"

"During the Peninsular Campaign in 1862, a soldier of Tidball's Battery A of the 2nd Artillery was buried at a time when the battery occupied an advanced position concealed in the woods. It was unsafe to fire the customary three volleys over the grave, on account of the proximity of the enemy, and it occurred to Capt. Tidball that the sounding of Taps would be the most appropriate ceremony that could be substituted."

http://www.usmemorialday.org/taps.html

Still a good story!

-- Posted by IdahoFrank on Fri, Feb 10, 2012, at 8:02 PM
Jessie:

any feel-good story is welcome. I enjoyed it. They might just make a life-time movie out of the whole thing. Everyone will think it is true then.

Thank you.

-- Posted by KH Gal on Fri, Feb 10, 2012, at 10:15 PM
Thanks! Bonnie, that's all I thought!

I don't think it is a bad story, it'd make a movie for sure!

Jessie

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Fri, Feb 10, 2012, at 10:21 PM
Buckshot, when Wayne shows up and is deleted, the comment counts are different. Go back and look at other blogs where his posts were deleted. The most glaring count difference is Mikes blog who is this guy. 148 vs 142.

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sat, Feb 11, 2012, at 12:10 AM
Buckshot, what have I done lately to defend Wayne? Since I've made sure you know his name, why don't you use it? Just questions.

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sat, Feb 11, 2012, at 7:21 AM
I see by the counts, Wayne showed up on my blog. Such is life. He is not my child and I can't control what he does. I was working, so I didn't even see what he wrote. For some reason you seem to be taking Wayne's behavior out on me. Why?

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sat, Feb 11, 2012, at 7:25 AM
Greetings

No disrespect meant at all

Hope you had a chance to read the article:

http://tapsbugler.com/the-taps-myth/

It pretty much talks about how the myth came about and who was responsible for starting it.

The myth is quite heart wrenching and evokes emotion but the true story is far more interesting because of the two men involved and their subsequent contributions to our nation. The true story would make a much better movie than the myth.

For any true believers of this myth, there is a prize of a $2000 gold plated bugle to anyone who can prove the story.

For anyone interested the 150th anniversary of Taps will be commemorated this year. More info at

www.taps150.org

Thanks!

-- Posted by tapsbugler on Thu, Feb 16, 2012, at 12:12 PM
No offence taken!

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Sat, Feb 18, 2012, at 9:30 PM

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