"TAPS" is the song a bugler plays for a military funeral.  Numerous stories and their revisions have been told as to the origin of “Taps”.  In researching this topic via the library and the Internet one of the most outstanding stories which I have discovered was produced by Jari A. Villanueva, who is a Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force Band at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington DC.  He is a graduate of Peabody Conservatory and Kent State University.  He is currently working on an exhibit to be opened at Arlington National Cemetery and a work entitled: “Day is Done... The History of Bugle Calls in The United Sates With Particular Attention To Taps”. (Phone Contact: 202/767-4119 USAF; 410/744-7798 Residence). Portions of this article come from Sergeant Villanueva’s research.

 

            Up to the Civil War, the Infantry call for “Lights Out” was that set down in Silas Casey’s (1801-1820 “Tactics”, which has been borrowed from the French. The music for “Taps” was changed by Union General Daniel Butterfield in July 1862, for his Brigade. He did this with the assistance of his bugler (Oliver Wilcox Norton). He wrote this to honor men in his camp following the “Seven Days’ Battle” at Harrison’s Landing, VA.  Buglers from other Union and even Confederate brigades began using “Taps”.

 

            As far as the earliest official usage of “Taps” for funerals - it is found in the U. S. Army Infantry Drill Regulations for 1891.  However, it no doubt was used prior to this time and especially for “Lights Out”, for which it had it’s origin.  In 1862, Captain John C. Tidall ordered “Taps” played for the burial of a cannoneer killed in action.  Since the enemy was close, he feared the traditional three volleys (gun salute) would renew fighting.

 

            As soon as “Taps” was sounded in July 1862 words were put to music.  The first words,: Go to sleep, Go to sleep.”  As the years went on many versions were created.  There are no official words to the music but here are some of the popular verses:

 

 

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the hills, from the lakes,
From the skies,

All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.

(continued)

 

 

 

 

 

Go to sleep, peaceful sleep,

May the soldier or sailor,

God keep.

 

Love, good night, Must thou go,

When the day, And the night

Need thee so?

All is well. Speedeth all

To their rest.

 

Fades the light; And afar

Goeth day, And the stars

Shineth bright,

Fare thee well; Day has gone,

Night is on.

 

Thanks and praise, For our days,

‘Neath the sun, ‘Neath the stars,

‘Neath the sky,

As we go, This we know,

God is nigh.

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                                                Only the God of creation knows the number of patriots who have given their lives in the service of their various countries.  Patriotism is a blessed spirit that Americans and others have cherished.  To be a member of the armed services (Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force, etc.) and to give unselfishly to the ideals of Americanism has been commendable throughout the ages.  We as free Americans owe much to our veterans and may we honor them on a regular basis.  When we attend a veteran’s funeral and hear the “Taps” played and get goose bumps, as well as a tear in our eye, may we rejoice in that we have been blessed by personally knowing a veteran who has helped to keep America free for each of us.

 

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