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Post Info TOPIC: The last post


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The last post


If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which The Last 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,

 

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.

Please send this on.

do it for our soldiers...please don't break it.   

  I didn't!



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It's a shame we couldn't have wars the way they were in olden days.

The LEADER.King. whoever.
LED his men into battle.

Wonder how many wars we'd actually have then hey.

The fact that even one person has to die for somebody elses Ideals. Wants.
is appalling.

If everybody said "Do it yourself Jack"
the world would be a much happier place.

My wishful dream for the day ok.

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Might be worth looking at this link ..

http://www.snopes.com/music/songs/taps.asp

 

Oops edit ..  Here's another relevant link

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/taps-vs-last-post-mournful-bugle-calls-carry-deep-meanings



-- Edited by Cupie on Tuesday 25th of April 2017 10:44:31 PM

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See Ya ... Cupie




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The Last Post is British origin 1790's different from the american version 'Taps' which was introduce in the civil war, Taps has words The Last Post doesn't. I would think Taps was taken from The Last Post and changed a little as it would of been played quite often by the British in Canada in the 1790's. The Last Post was played at Kapooka every afternoon at 5pm from memory, if you were outside at the time you stopped came to attention in silence until it finished.

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Kebbin



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Kebbin wrote:

The Last Post is British origin 1790's different from the american version 'Taps' which was introduce in the civil war, Taps has words The Last Post doesn't. I would think Taps was taken from The Last Post and changed a little as it would of been played quite often by the British in Canada in the 1790's. The Last Post was played at Kapooka every afternoon at 5pm from memory, if you were outside at the time you stopped came to attention in silence until it finished.


Agree, the Last post is British Armed Forces in origin & passed on to its allies such as Australia.

Who wants to celebrate WAR anyway? People murdering each other.

war.png



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Cheers Keith & Judy

Don't take life too seriously, it never ends well.

Trip Reports posted on feathersandphotos.com.au Go to Forums then Trip Reports.

 



Guru

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Nice story woody2 but unfortunately according to the articles it would seem that it may only be a myth. The bit about Captain Ellicombe was probably made up to give grieving American families some comfort when Taps was played at military funerals after the civil war. It would seem that the origins of the Last Post is more related to the time of the day that the beer was turned off in Holland (signaling the end of the day) which doesn't quite have the same ring to it but is probably more factual. The point is regardless of where it came from The Last Post makes us stop and think about those who made the ultimate sacrifice, listening to it yesterday played at dawn services all over the country, The Kokoda, Gallipoli and Villers Bretonneux as you said never failed to put those chills up my spine. 

Lest We Forget

DD I guess all those grieving families over the last 100 years should take great comfort from the fact that whenever they heard The Last Post played they were actually celebrating war and not remembering those who had fallen. Just out of curiosity are you speaking from your own actual experience in the armed forces or is it just a casual observation?



-- Edited by The Belmont Bear on Wednesday 26th of April 2017 09:28:52 AM

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DavRo

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Actually Bear.

The "War" I was involved in was the "better" type to be in.

The '50's Cold war.

We all had the ultimate weapon.

All pointing at each other. ALL in range.

And the perfect Stalemate.

NOBODY stupid enough to push the button.
Cause they knew if they did.

WE ALL DIE.
Cause Everybody else would push theirs too.

Even that Stupid little North Korean ain't that dumb.

A lot of us (in those days) ended up with Cancer.
But not one bullet wound, or leg blasted off.

Worst we had was pissed through boredom.

Not too bad an ideal I reckon. Who knows hey.

One Controlled bomb over Ayrab lands.

No more problems. Till the next fanatics anyway.

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I thought that the OP was related to the playing of Taps & The Last Post, at rememberance ceremonies. If I knew that it was going to degenerate into the usual rubbish about the glorification of war I would have stayed out of it. Macka maybe you should loosen that tie you're wearing I think that it's beginning to have an influence on what you are writing.....smile



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DavRo

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No B.B,story was sent to me and I thought it made good reading. I have no military history.
Did win the call up lottery in72but Gough put a stop to it a wk before I was to report.

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Guru

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Woody, I never directed that question towards you and if I hadn't read those articles that Cupie attached I probably would have believed the story myself. I bet it's the only lottery that you've ever won you were pretty lucky that Gough came to power before you actually had to go..

cheers
BB



-- Edited by The Belmont Bear on Wednesday 26th of April 2017 06:51:42 PM

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DavRo

2018 Grand Cherokee Limited - 2022 Concorde 2000



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That's ok B.B. Had mates that when over to Vet,some ok to day one has his moments.

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Interesting conversation. I was always lead to believe the Last post was exactly that, the Last Post for the day where end of duty was called for the day and the posting of sentries to stand watch was called! The call to soldiers to rest for the day and return to billets! From memory, primary school talk explaining it all. Sort of makes sense in calling for soldiers to rest! Just a thought.

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Last post was normally played at flag down in field wksps.
We never had that discipline in LAD's.

Bear.

last post. and ALL this story.
Is about wars and people dying.

AND REMEMBERANCES of such.

That's why Army's and servicemen exist\ed.
Unfortunately.

I just commented on the "war" I was involved in.

Without bullets. and bodies. Just insidious.

A lot of our soldiers (English) also died at other fronts at same time
WITH bullets and bombs etc..

We were GW Trained.(Guided Weapons)
Att'd, to Artillery Regiments 22. 36. 47 GW
Basically maintaining the Missile carriers, and Launchers.

Look them up.
(West Germany, Pointing at all points EAST of us.).

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