At 8:30am today, members of the public gathered in Civil War dress to commemorate our war dead at Bridge Street Cemetery. After a brief eulogy, guns and cannon fired, and Taps was played. We offer this two-minute Google video in appreciation, with pictures following.
See also:
Northampton Redoubt: Memorial Day tributes
TapsBugler.com: History of Taps
As soon as Taps was sounded that night in July 1862, words were put with the music. The first 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 but here are some of the more popular verses:
Day is done, gone the sun,
From the hills, from the lake,
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.