Dear Members of the Defence Family,
1. I am sharing the
“Meaning of Last Post” for your information and wide circulation.
2. All my service
career we took part in funerals of soldier where the last post was played, but
did not know its meaning and origin. It is song which really gives
lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes.
3. Read on the story
behind it.
With
regards,
Yours
Sincerely,
Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd) Advisor United Front of Ex Servicemen Jantar Mantar
& Chairman Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement
(IESM)
==========================================================
In all military funerals The Last Post is played;
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.
(SOURCE : Via E-mail from Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd) )
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