Taps, A Military Funeral Honor

Have you ever been to a military funeral and heard taps played? It’s a 24 note tune that brings forth thoughts of honor and grace and moves us to remember our armed forces with gratitude and respect.

It is a beautifully soulful and respectful tradition.  I think the lilting simpleness of the tune resonates with a familiar melody that touches ones heart.

“Taps”(also known as “Day is Done” or “Butterfield’s Lullaby”) evolved from an earlier bugle call known as “Scotts Tattoo” traditionally used by the U.S. military as a close to the evening, signaling that the soldier’s day is finished and ‘lights out” to all in camp.

It was during the Civil War in the mid 1800’s when this military bugle call was in some way either rewritten or revised (the story isn’t quite clear) by a General Butterfield to honor his men after the Seven Days battle in Virginia.

The legend says that this new tune, heard at night, soon spread to other units of the Union Army, and even the Confederacy started using it to close their days.

It was a Captain John C. Tidball, a West Point cadet who started the custom of playing “Taps” at a military funeral. A corporal from his battalion had passed and for unknown military reasons permission was not granted to fire three guns over his grave. Tidball came up with the idea to sound “Taps” instead, and again, the song soon spread to the entire army becoming one of the most touching parts of a military funeral.

The U.S. military adopted “Taps” as a standard element to their official funerals in 1891. When played, military personnel salute and civilians usually place their right hand over their heart. It offers  each of us a mindful few moments to personally remember the one who we have just lost and pay respect to their time spent serving our country.

Here are the 24 notes that make up “Taps”……