Why "TAPS" is played..

 If any of you have ever been to a military funeral  in which taps were
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, 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.

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...