posted on July 3, 2001 06:41:23 PM new
> Taps'. do you know where it came from
>
> 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 pleased
> 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 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 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 had
> 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.
>
> 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.
posted on July 3, 2001 07:17:58 PM new
There is something comforting about a funeral or memorial service. Maybe just because we've been conditioned. But it signals the end. Time to go back to your life and quietly grieve. A lot of people don't go quickly, they are in the hospital for a long time, etc. For anyone who's been through this, it's tough - everything in your life takes a back seat and you're hurting all the time.
A funeral - however one does it - is a time to say that final good-bye and return back to the living.
If playing taps is going to upset your mom, I agree that having them played when she's not there is an answer.
I hope that you and your mom will both find some peace during this ordeal.
posted on July 3, 2001 08:26:58 PM new
I'd like to thank all of you for your replies and the information about Taps. I suppose that although death is the great common denominator, the way we view it, prepare for it, and feel about it is as personal as anything can be.
posted on July 3, 2001 08:30:08 PM new
Funerals are for the living. For myself they are useless, but others find comfort in them.
However, I think if someone leaves wishes as to how their own funeral should go, then those wishes should be respected. If your dad wants "Taps" then they should be played at his funeral. My own mother stated in her will that she was to be cremated & that it should cost no more than what SS provided (she died in 1977 before the SS rules changed)--I followed her wishes to the letter despite the fact that the funeral parlor director tried to run a big guilt trip on me.
Even if your mother herself adamantly dislikes the idea of "Taps" it is what your *Dad* wants that should be followed.
posted on July 4, 2001 01:46:28 PM new
My two cents...Honor the dead as they request it. The living have a lifetime left to heal.
What a small tribute the playing of taps is for a lifetime.
PH44....Thanks for the history on it..I didn't know that.
Everytime I hear taps (played at my brothers funeral) I cry. No matter where I am, even if it is only a movie soundtrack.
Now Whitney Houston's "I will always Love You " has the same effect because it was playing on the radio the day I crested the hill that led down to my father's funeral site.
posted on July 5, 2001 12:11:17 AM new
First off....
Since your Father was a vet, Taps will be played for him
at least once a year on Memorial Day...at least that is the tradition 'round here....
Second...Nice story on the birth of Taps, but nope, don't think so..too amny holes..altho I have heard those lyrics before..."crawling out at night, under enemy fire"...nope...not in 1863...wouldn't have been seen...seems like a REALLY old Urban Legend...not your fault, just the "junk" that is available on the nt.
Keith
I assume full responsibility for my actions, except
the ones that are someone else's fault.
posted on July 5, 2001 01:02:59 PM new
For many people, the funeral is an essential part of saying goodbye and moving on. You cry your eyes out at the wake and funeral, become stoic at the actual burial, and then go have a marvelous after-funeral lunch, share your happy memories of the departed ... maybe even engage in a little roast...and then move on with your life and happy memories of your loved one.
It is my personal experience that those who are opposed to the wake-funeral process have the most difficult time accepting death.
Having said that, I also think the funeral home business is a huge scam of price-fixing and gouging, calculated to take advantage of people at their weakest moments. What is ridiculous is the idea that if you don't purchase the finest deluxe coffin you somehow dishonor the dead.
