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 North American should know.. Until I read this:

 We in the North America 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.