If ever you’ve heard Taps played graveside, you know, it’s amongst the most melancholy tunes ever to be played.
Twenty-four lowly notes, with lyrics that look to the heavens . . .
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 near
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.
While the lyrics have changed down through the years, the notes have remained true.
Being Memorial Day and all, it seems appropriate to know the story behind Taps (one of the stories, at least). So let’s take a moment and listen, as John Wayne tells the ‘history’ behind “Butterfield’s Lullaby” . . .