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.