Why Is Taps Played?

At the end of all military funerals, the song TAPS is played. Did you ever stop to wonder why?
The story of TAPS began in 1862, during the Civil War. Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe came upon a gravely wounded young man on the battlefield. Unable to determine if the young solider was a Rebel or a Yankee, he decided to get the young soldier some medical attention.

Crawling on his stomach through enemy gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward the Union encampment. When the Captain finally reached safety, he discovered the young man was actually a Confederate soldier, and he had died.

The Captain lit a lantern and turned to see about the young man's next of kin and papers. As he turned back to the young man, he truly saw the face of the soldier. It was his son. Evidently, the boy had joined up with the Confederacy when the war started.

The grief-stricken father asked his superior officers to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was deined. The Captain then asked if he could have the Army band members play for his son's funeral. This request was also turned down. After all, the soldier was a Confederate soldier.

Reason prevailed; probably out of respect for the father. Finally, the army said the son could have one musician playing at his funeral. So, Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe chose

******The BUGLER ******

This wish was granted and thus the haunting martial melody, TAPS was born. So now you know! Following are the lyrics. They are uplifting and inspiring.

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!

May this bit of knowledge help you in some way today. Angels all around you.

Tags: taps lyrics, war is hell, red versus blue, bugler