Taps

In honor of Memorial Day, the veterans in my family and my community, and around the world, I thought I would share some information about the haunting tones I've heard at too many funerals: Taps.

There are lyrics to this melody, which I have listed below. The tune has been a standard at military funerals since 1891, but had been used since at least the American Civil War to signal "lights out" at the end of the day in military installments.

When civilians hear Taps, we are obliged to place our hands over our hearts.



Taps
Day is done,
gone the sun,
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.

Go to sleep,
peaceful sleep,
May the soldier
or sailor,
God keep.
On the land
or the deep,
Safe in sleep.

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.