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I know this is not about bikes but I thought some of you vet would like to read this.

Subject: Why Taps is Played

If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which Taps was played;
this brings out a new meaning to it.

Here is something Every American should know...but most don't, until they
read this:

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 Confed erate
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 fune ral. 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 too have felt 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.

Remember those lost and harmed while serving their country and also those
presently serving in the Armed Forces. Please send this on after a short
prayer for our soldiers.. please don't break the cycle.

Sorry Greg. It's an urban legend.

That's a nice story.
However, no matter how nice the story, B.S is still B.S.

truthorfiction.com

Sorry Phil, simultaneous post.

Call it corroboration!

True or not it still sends chills...I spent 30 years with Uncle Sam and the only time it really got to me was when we buried my father. Had the echo taps done and it really is a tear jerker. Anyway, both versions are good. Maybe me need to put the "Paul Harvey" to it and fine the rest of the story.

Taps History from Arlington Cemetary
Heck, we lived on a number of posts and I heard that played every night. Do they still play it when the colors are struck at 5 PM? I remember the whole base coming to a stop while the flag was lowered.
My Dad's retired from the Army, guess I'll have to hear taps one more time. He's 86 and I hope it is not for a good while.

Thanks Crusty ......those of us who have served have had the honor of standing in respect at any time TAPS is played...at whatever military facility we happened to be at. It is a haunting tune whenever its played.


Heard it a lot lately at PGR escorts

still brings a chill to my spine and a tear to my eyes, and I used to love it when they struck the colors every evening in Groton, and the whole place just came to a screeching halt (especially when I got to haul in the colors on the aft end of my boat along the Thames River in summer)

We lived near Ft. Ritchie (now closed) and used their lake for swimming when I was a kid. The base flag was across the lake and that was also kind of chilling in summer, hearing Taps while everyone in bathing suits stood at attention. I'd say it was the good-old days, but also remember everyone was either shipping out or coming back from Vietnam, my Dad included. I guess times don't change that much...

Urban legend. But a grain of truth none the less. The Civil War was the last where troops moved about on foot. The end of marching songs. The marching songs that most remember and that have been enfolded into our national identity arose during the Civil War.
"When Johnny Comes Marching Home"
"Yellow Rose of Texas"
"The Cruel War"
"Garry Owen"
"Dixie"
"The Girl I Left Behind Me"
"The Minstrel Boy"
"Unreconstructed Rebel" (I'm A Good Ol' Rebel)
"Bonnie Blue Flag"
"Rose of Alabamy"
"All Quiet Along the Potomac"
"The Red River Valley"
"The Battle Hymn of the Republic"
"The Lakes of Pontchartrain"
"The Navy Hymn"
"Taps"
"Anchors Aweigh"
"The Marine Hymn"
"The Balloon Corps Hymn"
"Irish Brigade Medley"
"Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!"
"Follow the Drinking Gourd"
"Battle Cry of Freedom"
"The Battle of Shiloh's Hill"
"Brave Boys They Are!"
"The New York Volunteer"
"Sixty-Three is the Jubilee"
"Stonewall Jackson's Way"
"Kathleen Mavourneen"
"Jefferson and Liberty"
"My Old Kentucky Home"
"Marching Through Georgia"
"Yankee Doodle"
"The Hunters of Kentucky"
"Darling Nelly Gray"
"She Wore a Yellow Ribbon"
"John Brown's Body"
"Dixieland" (mono, 450KB mp3 file)
"As the Caissons Go Rolling Along"
"The West Point March"

As a "cultural exchange", in the British & Australian military services the bugle call played at both the end of the day and at military funerals (and on Anzac Day, our version of Memorial Day) is The Last Post. When played at funerals or on Anzac Day, it signifies that a soldier has "gone to his final rest".

I've never served in the military nor has anyone close to me, but I can't hear it without it bringing tears to my eyes.

We sing Taps at the end of every Guide (Girl Scout) meeting. But slightly different words.

Day is done, gone the Sun
From the sea, from the hills, from the Sky
All is well, safely rest.
God is nigh.

We also have a daylight version:
Thanks and praise for our days
'neath the sun, 'neath the stars 'neath the sky
As we go this we know,
God is nigh.

Is a tradition for us here in the UK and took a special meaning at an Aussie Guide group I visited. I believe it's a worldwide thing for Guides and Girl Scouts and has been for many years.

The Last post...makes all my short hairs stand to attention too. Is very evocative - when played right. I can't help but stand there and cringe when the poor soul that is stood there and has to play when everyone around is silent...and then mis-pitches a note. But then I'm not a bugler/trumpeter... so shouldn't really criticise.

I read an article about a Marine by the name of Douglas Zembiec. The NY Times did a piece about him a while back. He was KIA last week. Do a Google search on him. He was a remarkable person. Also during the search, I came upon this webpage. Scroll to the bottom and read some of the excerpts.
http://www.warletters.com/press/index.html

When the colors come down at 1700, "Retreat" and "to the colors" are sounded. Taps are played later, at "lights out"-usually about 2200. this site gives the entire "schedule of calls" traditionally published in every military post daily bulletin: http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/bugle.htm

It's good to remember, I'm not sure today's young really realize what has been done that allows them the luxury of walking the malls, listening to whatever music they like, disagreeing with ideas or just plain saying "No". There are many of countries that consider these actions grounds for a stay in the local jail..It is important that they know and understand what it cost to be free!!

Moe: Interesting list, a couple of the songs there are Americanized versions of Old British folk tunes, One that stands out to me is when "Johnny comes marching home".

British version: an anti war song that if you heard it sung will bring tears.

Johnny, I hardly knew ya (British version same tune differnet words)

While going the road to sweet Athy, A-roo, Ha-roo,
While going the road to sweet Athy, A-roo, Ha-roo,
While going the road to sweet Athy,
A stick in me hand and a tear in me eye,
A doleful damsel I did spy.
Johnny, I hardly knew ya.

With yer drums and guns and guns and drums,
The enemy nearly slew ya;
Me darling dear, you look so queer.
Johnny, I hardly knew ya.

Where are the legs with which you ran, A-roo, Ha-roo,
Where are the legs with which you ran, A-roo, Ha-roo,
Where are the legs with which you ran,
When first you went to carry a gun?
Indeed your dancing days are done.
Johnny, I hardly knew ya.

With yer drums and guns and guns and drums,
The enemy nearly slew ya;
Me darling dear, you look so queer.
Johnny, I hardly knew ya.

You haven't an arm, you haven't a leg, A-roo, Ha-roo,
You haven't an arm, you haven't a leg, A-roo, Ha-roo,
You haven't an arm, you haven't a leg,
You're an eyeless, noseless, chickenless egg,
You'll have to be put in a bowl to beg.
Johnny, I hardly knew ya.

With yer drums and guns and guns and drums,
The enemy nearly slew ya;
Me darling dear, you look so queer.
Johnny, I hardly knew ya.

How sad it is to see you so, A-roo, Ha-roo,
How sad it is to see you so, A-roo, Ha-roo,
How sad it is to see you so,
And I think of you now as an object of woe,
But Peggy'll still keep you on as her beau.
Johnny, I hardly knew ya.

With yer drums and guns and guns and drums,
The enemy nearly slew ya;
Me darling dear, you look so queer.
Johnny, I hardly knew ya.