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Taps history and lyrics

Last updated on July 5th, 2022

A Legendary History of Taps

We have all heard the haunting song, “Taps”.
It’s the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually creates
tears in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be delighted to find out about Taps history and lyrics and it’s humble beginnings.

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 mortally 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, he 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.

Taps Lyrics

“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 hope you appreciated the above Taps history and lyrics. The above text was forwarded to me by email and I could not trace the history further until recently.  According to Wikipedia article on Taps, the lyrics (accompanying words) were written by Horace Lorenzo Trim.

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