One of our nation’s most recognizable melodies is the haunting 24-note tune that’s traditionally played at military funerals, flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies known as Taps.
Today, Memorial Day, CBS marks the third year of inviting musicians of all ages, abilities and instruments to join in the playing of Taps at 3 PM local time wherever they feel most comfortable and meaningful.
The origins of the CBS tradition began a decade ago with a solo trumpeter when 78-year-old Don Brittain began playing Taps every evening at sunset from his balcony in Tacoma, WA.
Mr. Brittain explained that he wanted to honor the military in some manner since he wasn’t able to enlist because he had polio as a child.
His tradition of playing Taps soon caught the attention of his neighbors who share that as soon as they heard the melody begin, they would stop what they were doing and stand at attention to pay their respects.
Steve Hartman of CBS News covered this story for his “On the Road” series in 2013.
It became such a popular report that CBS decided to invite all musicians to join in the playing of Taps at 3 PM in their own time zone. Today marks the third anniversary of what CBS claims is one of the largest musical performances of all time.
It has been played by trumpeters from the New York Philharmonic …
…to Caitlyn Sanders of Ellicott City, Maryland who dedicated an entire weekend learning how to play it.
CBS requests that no matter your skill-level or location, you record your rendition on your phone (in the horizontal position) and tag your video on social media with the hashtag #CBSTaps.
[More information is available here: How to participate in Taps Across America with CBS – CBS News]
They will be browsing public posts with that hashtag on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok – or uploaded to the folder – to share selections on a later broadcast.
Some Past Performances:
The Younger Set …
Adults …
Military …
CBS Report for This Year:
History & Lyrics of Taps
There’s a popular, but apocryphal, story that the tune originated when Union Army Captain Robert Elli found it in the pocket of a killed Confederate soldier who turned out to be his son, who had been studying music in the South.
The heartbroken father requested that his son, despite fighting for the enemy, be given a full military burial. Capt. Elli’s request was only partially granted since his son was a Confederate. But out of respect for the father, he was permitted to select a single musician.
Captain Elli chose a bugler and asked that he play the tune he found in his son’s pocket.
A touching story, but its true origins are more mundane.
In July of 1862, following the bloody Seven Days battles, Union Brigadier General Daniel Adams Butterfield wanted a more melodic tune than the traditional Lights Out – a rather harsh bugle call signaling the end of the day that was borrowed from the French.
Brigadier General Butterfield
He called the brigade’s bugler, Oliver Wilcox Norton – a schoolteacher from Pennsylvania, to his tent to work on a new tune. Mr. Norton documented what transpired:
Oliver Wilcox Norton
“…showing me some notes on a staff written in pencil on the back of an envelope, [he] asked me to sound them on my bugle. I did this several times, playing the music as written. He changed it somewhat, lengthening some notes and shortening others, but retaining the melody as he first gave it to me. After getting it to his satisfaction, he directed me to sound that call for Taps thereafter in place of the regulation call. The music was beautiful on that still summer night and was heard far beyond the limits of our Brigade. The next day, I was visited by several buglers from neighboring Brigades, asking for copies of the music, which I gladly furnished. The call was gradually taken up through the Army of the Potomac.”
There is something singularly beautiful and appropriate in the music of this wonderful call. Its strains are melancholy, yet full of rest and peace. Its echoes linger in the heart long after its tones have ceased to vibrate in the air.
https://clintonwhitehouse5.archives.gov/remembrance/taps.html
This more emotive and powerful Taps soon was adopted throughout the military. In 1874, the mournful yet powerful Taps was officially recognized by the U.S. Army, and it became mandatory at military funeral ceremonies in 1891.
LYRICS
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
