Why 'TAPS' is played.

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

Here is something Every American should know...but most don't, until they read this:

We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, 'Taps'. It's the song that gives us that 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 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.

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 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 and also those presently serving in the Armed Forces.

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Just wondered how many really knew the background to what the meaning was behind the song.

Thought I would pass on a bit of history.

I never knew the history behind it, thank you! That gave me chills! All I knew when I hear "TAPS" or even bagpipes playing...there's a sadness.

With all that's going on..we sometimes forget our soldiers! There is a website where anyone can go to adopt a soldier, some never receive letters or pkgs from home...if anyone would like this site, let me know.

Never knew

been to too many military funerals already but thanks for the posting it's nice to educate people especially with the earlier post on guns . Take away our rights and we have nothing left to fight for , wish people would learn that !

I would.

I enjoy sending packages to our soldiers.

I hear reveille all the time. Never knew the story behind TAPS though.

Forward it please

I'd forgotten the history. Thank you.

I never knew

I actually knew all the words. My grandfather was a veteran and a member of the DAV (Disabled Vets of America). As a little girl I attended many a meeting...as a teeneager I was asked to sing along as the buggler played TAPS. It is haunting...even if you've heard it a million times. So if the 21 Gun Salute...very lonely sounding. I sang Taps for the last time this past March when my grandfather passed. Hardest time of my life...

Haunting it is in fact the last time I heard it was almost 5 years ago at my Dad's funeral it does in fact bring a tear to your eyes as well as a cold chill down your back.

But never less it is one song that will remain no matter how many years goes by.

You email settings won't let me send!

I never knew, THANK YOU.

It has all new meaning to me, my dad had a full military, burial and taps was played. It means so much more now.

Once again, thank you.

I will fix it. Try now.

The sound of "Taps" and a 21 gun salute always sends chills down my spine. Echoing taps is even more powerful. Heard that once.

I officiated at the funeral of a friend of mine. He was buried at Ft. Logan National Cemetary in Denver, Colorado. He was an older gentleman, a friend in recovery. I held it together until they played TAPS, then they folded the flag that had graced him, presented it to his grandson.

Don't forget the Vet.