Taps

Sleep well Tonight

Taps is perhaps the most solemn of our patriotic songs. Also known as “Butterfield’s Lullaby” or as “Day is Done” the tune of Taps is actually a variation of an earlier bugle call known as the “Scott Tattoo.” Around 1860 Taps was arranged in its present form by Union Army, Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield to replace a previous French bugle call used for lights out. Hence the name Butterfield’s Lullaby. Interestingly both the Union and Confederate forces used Taps as their signal for lights out throughout the Civil War. To this day Taps is played every evening as a signal for end of day or lights out on non-deployed military installations. Taps is also played at military funerals, flag ceremonies and at each of the 2500 military wreath hanging ceremonies conducted each year at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. So sit back and enjoy the rich and somber sound of the bugler playing one of our nations oldest and most revered patriotic songs. Warning!! This version of Taps although beautiful does not conform to Army Regulation 220-90 Paragraph 2-5h(1) where it states the following: “Echo Taps” or “Silver Taps,” the practice of performing “Taps” with multiple buglers, is not authorized. “Echo Taps” is not a part of Army tradition and improperly uses bugler assets.    

"Taps"

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 hope you will leave your comments as you see fit. And remember our fallen soldiers next time you hear this wonderful song.