THE LAST POST
|
If
you have ever been to a military funeral in which The Last Post was played;
this will bring� a new meaning to 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, whenUnion 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 theArmed Forces.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment