THE LAST POST

[John Small]

If any of you have ever been to a Military Funeral
in which theLast Post was played;

this brings out a new meaning of it.

Here is something everyone should know.

Until I read this, I didn't know but I checked it out and it's true:

We have all heard the haunting song, 'The Last Post' It's the song that gives us the lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes.

But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings..

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the American Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near

Harrison's Landing in Virginia . The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.

During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment.

When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.

The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in

the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted.

The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral.

The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.

But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him

only one musician.

The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the

pocket of the dead youth's uniform.

This wish was granted.

The haunting melody, we now know as 'The Last Post' used at military funerals was born.

The words are:

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

I too have felt the chills while listening to 'The Last Post' but I have never seen all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know there was more than one verse . I also never knew the story behind the song and I didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it along.

I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before.

Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country.

Also Remember Those Who Have Served And Returned; and for those presently serving in the Armed Forces..

[robpage]

I hate to dispel the very beautiful story John but reproduce theis below for consideration

The True Story of "Taps"

There has been a false story behind Taps that has been floating around for many years. It is a real tear-jerker, the consequence of which makes it very popular. This is the way it goes:

It all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.

During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moan of a soldier who lay mortally wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or a Confederate soldier, the captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the captain reached his own lines, he discovered a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.

The captain lit a lantern. Suddenly, he caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, he enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial despite his Confederate army status.

His wish was partially granted. The captain had asked if he could have a group of Army Band members play a funeral dirge for the son at the funeral. That request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. Out of respect for the father, they did say that they could give him only one musician.

The captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead son's uniform.

The wish was granted. This music was the haunting melody we now know as "Taps" that is used at all military funerals.

Great story, huh?

Except that is it is complete fabrication. It has the drama, that poignant quality that demands that it be retold over and over, especially on the Internet. Read on.

Jari Villanueva is one of the finest buglers in the country. He has been a Master Bugler with the Air Force Band as far back as anybody can remember, probably when the wings were made of fabric, and is the Chief Bugler of Vincent's Brigade. This is what Jari has to say about the story:

I have spent years just on this one tune... The story of Captain Robert Ellicombe and his Confederate son is a myth, a fake, a tall tale, a good story to tell around the old campfire but a story that holds no truth whatsoever. This is one of those stories that is reprinted and forwarded to others and makes its way around the Internet around Memorial Day, July 4th and Veterans Day. The story gets printed in papers, newsletters, and, sad to say, even on some military websites as the true version of how the bugle call of Taps came to light.

I have sounded the call over 1,600 times over the past 16 years as an Air Force bugler at Arlington National Cemetery. I am the curator of the Taps Exhibit at Arlington and a Civil War reenactor and historian. Along with other history buffs, I have researched the real story and have tried to squash this fake story.

We know much about the two men involved with the creation of Taps. Gen. Daniel Butterfield and bugler, Pvt. Oliver Wilcox Norton, who created the new call, survived the Civil War, went on to become prosperous and respected businessmen and citizens. Both wrote about their Civil War experiences and of the creation of Taps in July 1862.

There is no proof that a Captain Robert Ellicombe ever existed. The myth gives no indication of what unit or state he served. In order to be believed, one needs to produce muster, discharge or pension papers and background history of both father and son, units, etc. Lastly, where is the son’s grave? There is no basis at all to the story, except that it occurred near Harrison’s Landing in July 1862, where the true origin took place.

So where did this myth come from? I have traced this tale to a Ripley’s Believe It Or Not story that Robert Ripley created for his short-lived TV program in 1949. This is chronicled in the book Ripley, The Modern Marco Polo--The Life And Times of the Creator Of Believe It Or Not by Bob Considine, published by Doubleday & Co. in 1961. As Considine wrote: "The denouement of this is a coincidence incredible even by Rip's standards."

The myth took on a life of its own and was even printed as fact in an Ann Landers or Dear Abby column. A retraction was later printed. It has acquired a renewed life on the Internet and is spread by many unsuspecting but well-meaning people who believe it to be true. It is unfortunate to see it on websites, especially military and veteran sites that should know better. It is hoped that those who are interested in history will spread the word to stop the myth.

Jari Villanueva

Jari is considered one of the country’s foremost authority on US military bugle calls and the bugle call of Taps. As a writer, he published numerous articles on the history of US bugle calls and brass bands of the Civil War and is currently working on a book on the subject. His articles have been published in the International Trumpet Guild, NY Brass Conference for Scholarships, the Washington Times, Washington Post and The Navy Times. He was the curator of the Taps exhibit at Arlington National Cemetery and responsible for moving the bugle used at President Kennedy’s funeral from the Smithsonian to Arlington. A active free lance musician, Jari also finds time to pursue his hobby of Civil War re-enacting. He is the director of the Federal City Brass Band, a group that performs on 19th century instruments. His website is www.tapsbugler.com
Mr. Villanueva has been at UMBC since 1998 as director of the UMBC Pep Band, The UMBC Wind Ensemble, and instructor of courses in music education and instrumentation. He has also served as an advisor for the UMBC Color Guard. An active Retrievers fan, he can be found most home games with the Pep Band. His lives in Catonsville, MD with his wife, Heather and two cats.

[happy daze john in oz]

There was a story doing the rounds here about the time of Anzac day claiming it was a Canadian who first played the last post. One of those things where we may never find the exact truth.

[Keith Moody]

it couldn`t have been a canadian because his bugle would freeze up in the winter,

Winter Poem

it`s winter in Canada!
and the gentle breezes blow.
seventy miles an hour
at thirty-five below.
Oh! how i love Canada
when the snow is up to your butt.
you take a breath of winter
and your nose gets frozen shut.
yes the weather here is wonderful
so i guess i`ll hang around
i could never leave Canada
i`m frozen to the friggin ground.


when I was a kid (many moons ago) I was in the boy scouts and at every parade we would sing those same words as written by John Small at the end of every meeting. they were also sung at the end of the 1951 World Scout Jamboree" at Kingsdown in Kent.

[john sutton]

when I was a kid in naval school we played last post every night to signify the day was over and we also rose in the morning at revielle this has been a tradition of the armed forces(uk) for many years and I believe replaced the bosuns whistle eqivalent
john sutton

[John Small]

Hi Rob

Thanks for your Input, it is developing into a very Interesting debate,
I would be very interested to have your thoughts on the information below from another Naval site


THE BRITISH VERSION

Last Post is one of a number of bugle calls in military tradition which
mark the phases of the day. Where "Reveille" signaled the start of a soldier's
day, the "Last Post" signaled its end. It is believed originally to have
been part of a more elaborate routine, known in the British Army as "tattoo",
that had its origins in the 17th century. During the evening, a duty officer
had to do the rounds of his unit's position, checking that the sentry
posts were manned and rounding up the off-duty soldiers and packing them
off to their beds or billets. He would be accompanied by one or more musicians.
The "first post" was sounded when the duty officer started his rounds
and, as the party proceeded from post to post, a drum was played. The
drum beats told off-duty soldiers it was time to rest - if the soldiers
were billeted in a town, the beats told them it was time to quit the pubs.
"Tattoo" is a derivation of doe den tap toe, Dutch for "turn off the taps",
a call which is said to have followed the drum beats in many a Dutch pub
while English armies were campaigning through Holland and Flanders in
the 1690s. (It is also from this routine that American practice of "taps"
or "drum taps" originated.) Another bugle call was sounded when the party
completed their rounds, when they reached the "last post": this signaled
the night sentries were alert at their posts and gave one last warning
to any soldiers still at large that it was time to retire for the evening.
"Last Post" was incorporated into funeral and memorial services as a final
farewell and symbolises that the duty of the dead is over and that they
can rest in peace.



THE WORDS TO THE LAST POST

Come home! Come home! The last post is sounding
for you to hear. All good soldiers know very well there
is nothing to fear while they do what is right, and forget
all the worries they have met in their duties through the
year. A soldier cannot always be great, but he can be a
gentleman and he can be a right good pal to his comrades in
his squad. So all you soldiers listen to this – Deal fair by all
and you’ll never be amiss.


Be Brave! Be Just! Be Honest and True Men!

-----------------------------
AMERICAN VERSION
If you have ever been to a military funeral in which The Last Post was played; this will bring a new meaning to it.

Keep in mind that this relates to the American version

Here is something everyone should know. Until I read this, I didn't know, but I checked it out and it's true:
We
have all heard the haunting song, 'The Last Post.' It's the song that
gives us the lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes.
But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings.
Reportedly,
it all began in 1862 during the American Civil War, when Union Army
Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in
Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow
strip of land.

During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the
moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing
if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk
his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention.
Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the
stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment.
When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.
The
Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with
shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own
son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke
out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate
Army.
The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked
permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial,
despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted.
The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral.
The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.

But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician.

The
Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical
notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead
youth's uniform.

This wish was granted.
The haunting melody, we now know as 'The Last Post' used at military funerals was born.

The words are:

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


I
too have felt the chills while listening to 'The Last Post' but I have
never seen all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know
there was more than one verse . I also never knew the story behind the
song and I didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it along.
I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before.

Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country.
Also Remember Those Who Have Served And Returned; and for those presently serving in the Armed Forces.

[David Williams]

Hi John
If you let me have your Email address,I will send
you a fantastic film of a young girl playing the Last
Post.It will really bring a lump to your throat.
Dave Williams EMAIL HERE

[robpage]

The British " version " of the Last Post , which originates from the duty officer's night time inspection of the Sentry posts , starting at the "The first Post " which was played and ending at " The Last Post " dates from the 17 Century and the tune s different tune to Taps

The Last Post


Taps




These are often confused as being the same tune , and American soldiers would have known the last post from the days of the Colonial British Soldier . Not actually saying they borrowed the idea but the thought did cross my mind . I would suggest that they were without words originally , and cannot think of an occasion where I have heard either tune where I would want to hear it accompanied by vocal , the Bugle alone gives a haunting effect to the tune and it alone should be left , in my opinion to itself

[happy daze john in oz]

As far as I know the last post this year will be on Christmas eve. No more then until December 28th according to my postie.

[John Small]

To Much Information John:Ha Ha I-Agree: