Taps is the most mornful tune

[Samuari]

A week agoi, I attended the funeral of my younger cousin. He was one of the few cousins (I have a huge family, but its scatered literly across, and arround the world) that I knew really well. "Chuck" for a time lived in my town and worked with me in the oil fields. A wonderful sence of humor, and an ability to see what was really important in a situtation, and react to it made him a valuable asset.

We believe, but will never be able to prove, that he was a victom of Agent Orange, which he was exposed to in Viet Nam, where he won two Silver Stars and a Purple Heart. It is especally onerious to me since I ovioded going by staying in college, and maintaining my student deferment.

I still hear the CRACK of those rifles firing thier salute, the Sargent handing the flag that just served as a pall to his widow, with the "thanks of a grateful nation", but most of all, I'm haunted by that damn bugle.

 

[christophe]

i believed it was penned by Gen Dan Butterfiled during the civil war..."Butterfileds lullaby" it was called

 

[riff]

It is pretty sad, the bugle and the rifle crack.

I wonder what they do in countries?

 

[nzwookie]

In New Zealand and Australia we have *The Last Post* also on a bugle and very sad......Dont know if the tune is the same though????

 

[MissTaken]

This may sound crazy....

but "Taps" done well, reminds me of loons on the water.

It is haunting, mournful and yes, very sad.

 

[SilverVeil]

I have never been able to listen to the tune without being emotionally moved to tears.

 

[Samuari]

Loons on the water? I never would have thought that.

While very sad, because I will be deprived of "Chuck's" humor and wit (did I mentuion that he kept a rubber chicken handy?) I am also galad th he doesn't suffer any more. He was far too good a man to hur the way he di for as long as he did.

 

[doctor_insanus]

My grandfather served in the Army during WWI. Almost 70 years later, he still couldn't listen to Taps without crying.

Haunting, mournful, and sad... a truly fitting description.

 

[Cheyenne]

I think that is why I want happy music at my funeral, no music to haunt family and make people cry.

 

[seXieleXie]

my aunt passed away when i was a freshman in high school. it was very difficult for our whole family because she was so you and suffered so much before the cancer took her. my cousin sang that celien dion song "my heart will go on" at the funeral. every time i heard it on the radio for the next few weeks (and this was at the height of "Titanic" craze) i teared up

 

[erosman]

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.com/taps.mid

The addy above has taps on it.
I pasted the words, below.


Day is done, gone the sun,
From the hills, from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.

Go to sleep, peaceful sleep,
May the soldier or sailor,
God keep.
On the land or the deep,
Safe in sleep.

Love, good night, Must thou go,
When the day, And the night
Need thee so?
All is well. Speedeth all
To their rest.

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.

 

[alvin462]

taps

I understand the pain your Chuck felt . I too served and still go to Va for meetings to keep me somewhat sane . With these meetings and lots of drugs I can make it till night . I am sorry for your loss . He has to be in a better place .

 

[greeneyedgringo]

Taps and Amazing Grace send shivers up my spines. Sorry for your loss.

GRG

 

[SouthernMale]

Taps and Amazing Grace send shivers up my spines. Sorry for your loss.

GRG

I agree expecially Amazing Grace on the bagpipes

 

[PaganZepher]

Southernmale I agree on Amazing Grace on bagpipes. I want my funeral to more of a celebration of my life with a wake that goes down in history! But I do want the flag and Taps played. I earned them. I think it is a final honor the military and non-military alike appreciate.

 

[Samuari]

thanks guys

Your kind words mean a lot to me. and a special thanks to erosman for posting the words to "Taps". Somhow it doesn't seem quite so sad now.

 

[christophe]

while i was in the service every night on our post taps was played at 930pm i never wnet to sleep till it was played

 

[SpaceToast]

This is what we played at my dad's funeral, back in November. I don't want this to turn into a lyrics thread, but I think it's really beautiful:


"Silent Sunlight" -- Cat Stevens

Silent sunlight, welcome in
There is work I must now begin
All my dreams have blown away
And the children wait to play
They'll soon remember things to do
When the heart is young
And the night is done
And the sky is blue

Morning songbird, sing away
Lend a tune to another day
Bring your wings and choose a roof
Sing a song of love and truth
We'll soon remember if you do
When all things were tall
And our friends were small
And the world was new

Sleepy horses, heave away
Put your backs to the golden hay
Don't ever look behind at the work you've done
For your work has just begun
There'll be the evening in the end
But till that time arrives
You can rest your eyes
And begin again

---

I'm very sorry for your loss-

-M@

 

[Guest]

 

[Sillyman]

For a really mournful tune, I would say the tune to "Over There", played very softly and slowly is very mournful. I sorry about your loss. I've lost family members whose humor and wit were part of the family myth too, and I can appreciate your loss.