TAPS Origin
From Article by Jari A. Vilanueva – a bugler & bugle historian & author.
Former curator of the Taps Bugle exhibit at Arlington National Cemetery. See: tapsbugler.com
{ especially: “24 Notes That Tap Deep Emotions” }
Began as REVISION to the signal for Extinguish Lights {Lights Out} – borrowed from French.
Music for Taps was ADAPTED by Union General Daniel Adams Butterfield in JULY, 1862,
for his BRIGADE (the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Army Corps, Army of Potomac).
[Butterfield was awarded the Medal of Honor for act of heroism during battle.]Butterfield was not pleased with the “Lights Out” tune:
{ as too formal = “NOT as smooth, melodious & musical as it should be” }.
With help of brigade bugler, OLIVER WILLCOX NORTON, re-wrote tune while in camp at Harrison’s Landing, Virginia – July 1862 – during the Peninsular Campaign of the Civil War.
A romanticized version of the story of its origin – was CORRECTED following a magazine
article in August of 1898.
The ARTICLE prompted a letter from Oliver W. Norton in Chicago who claimed he knew how
the call came about and that HE was the first to perform it.
[ READ NORTON’S LETTER dated Chicago, August 8, 1898 ] page 2-3
The editor of the Century magazine contacted Butterfield and the basic story was confirmed.
However, Yada, yada, yada, technically, General Butterfield did not compose Taps, rather he REVISED an earlier call for “lights out” INTO the present day bugle call we know as Taps.
Butterfield died in 1901.
HOW DID IT BECOME ASSOCIATED WITH FUNERALS?
The earliest official reference to the MANDATORY use of Taps at military funeral ceremonies is found in the US Army Infantry DRILL REGULATIONS for 1891.
However, it had been used UNOFFICIALLY long before.
The first use of Taps at a funeral is traced to the 1862 Peninsular Campaign in Virginia.
(the same year it was “composed”)
Captain John C. Tidball of Battery A, 2nd Artillery ordered it played for the burial of
a cannoneer killed in action.
Since the enemy was close, Tidball worried that the traditional 3 volleys would renew fighting.
SO, sounding of Taps would be the most ceremony that would be substituted, ordered Tidball.
Words were put to the music beginning that night in July 1862.
There STILL are NO Official words – but many versions or stanzas have been created.
We’re singing 4 of the more popular verses…to honor all who have served our country.
Texts for Taps below:
Taps
Day is done, Gone the sun,
From the hills, From the lakes,
From the sky.
All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh.
Fading light, Dims the night,
And a star Gems the sky
Gleaming bright.
From a afar, Drawing nigh, Falls the night.
Go to sleep, Peaceful sleep,
May the soldier Or the sailor
Our God keep.
On the land or the deep, Safe in sleep.
Thanks and praise, For our days,
‘Neath the sun, ‘Neath the stars,
‘Neath the sky,
As we go, This we know, God is nigh.
