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........ Taps
(turn the volume up for a stirring arrangement)

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.

We have all heard the haunting melody of "Taps."
The legend attributed to this song is as follows ......

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 pleased to find out about its humble beginnings.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellisombe was
with his men near Harrison's Landing, Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow
strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellisombe heard the moans of a soldier who was severely wounded
on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or a 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 the 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 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 denied since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father,
they did say they could give him 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 used at military funerals,
which we now know as "Taps," was born.

~~~

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