Taps We've all heard it, but do you know the words and story? Yes, There are words, as a matter of fact there are three stanza's. Well back in 1862 during the War between the States when the Union Army was stalled at Richmond near Harrison's Landing, the fighting was ferocious. One night after skirmishing the wounded and dying lay in the field, crying, moaning, and begging for help. Union Captain Robert Ellicombe heard the cry of a soldier just outside his perimeter, not knowing whether the soldier was union or Confederate he decided to rescue the man. Crawling under fire he reached the soldier, (a Confederate) and pulled him back only to find the soldier died before he returned within his lines. Even more surprised and shocked, he discovered the Confederate soldier was his own son whom enlisted with the south while attending college in New Orleans. His son was a musical student and wrote the music. Captain Ellicombe requested a full military burial despite his son's enemy statues to his superiors but was denied. Out of repect for the Captian he was allowed to have one musician, he chose a bugler and asked the bugler to play the notes he found in his son's pocket. Later this song was adopted by Union General, Daniel Butterfield, The US Army and many Confederate units adopted this song as a call for lights out and funerals. Here are the words; Day is gone Fading light Thanks and praise Gone the sun Dims the sight For our days From the lakes And a star Neath the sun From the hills Gems the sky Neath the stars From the sky Gleaming bright Neath the sky All is well From afar As we go Safely rest Drawing nigh This we know God is nigh Falls the night God is Good Back |
