In 1862 Captain Ellicombe's son wrote this beautiful melody. It has been a lasting tribute to our Military through out the years.
Near Harrison's landing in 1862 , a Civil War battle was being fought.
There were many caualities on both sides.
During the night, Union Captain Ellicombe heard moans of a man severely wounded on the battle field. The captain did not know if the man was Union or Confederate.
Carefully he crawled onto the field as bullets passed over his head. Finally he reached the mortally wounded man and slowly pulled him back to the Union lines.
As he lit a lantern ,the Captain saw a Confederate uniform. He gasped in shock when he saw, the dead man was his son!
His son had been in the south studying music when the war started. He had not told his father he had joined the Confederate army.
The captain asked his superiors for a full military funeral. They partially granted his request. They said one musician could play at his sons funeral.
Captain Ellicombe chose a bugler and asked him to play a series of musical notes he had found in his dead son's pocket.
The haunting music of taps floated through the air . THE SONG WAS BORN, and has been used as an honorable tribute to those who have died in the service of our country ever since.
"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."
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