why "taps" is played at miltary funerals. ( Archived) (7)

this was sent to me just wanna share it.
If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps
is 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 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 our army we call it THE LAST POST, and i've heard it at a few funerals and seen the hardest of men cry

I want it played at my funeral. Being a veteran I will be buried with Military Honors.

Makes me cray everytime I hear it.. A friend of mine was killed in Iraq almost a year ago and it was played then..not a dry eye in the building