THE RARE LYRICS OF TAPS

By SGT Joe Coronado

During the Civil War, one of the easiest ways for a soldier to remember and recognize the many bugle calls heard both in battle and throughout the duty day was through words or ditties that were set to the notes of the calls for this exact purpose. Following this common practice, soon after Taps was first sounded in July 1862 words were put with the music. Since Taps was initially simply a signal for "Lights Out" at the end of the soldier's day, the first words were,

"Go To Sleep, Go to Sleep."

As the years went on many more versions were created.

There are no official words to the music of Taps, but here are some of the more popular verses:

Day is done, gone the sun

,From the lake, from the hills,From the sky.

All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

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.