Any of you know the words to TAPS?

[Walleye Express]

Subject: How many of you know the words to TAPS???

This is interesting...I did not know this....wonder if you did...

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 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 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.

[EdB]

I did not the know the words or the story behind Taps. Thanks for sharing.