The "Last Post" marks the end
of the day, and used as a mark of respect for the dead at military
funerals and commemorative ceremonies such as our
yearly Anzac service - it's the song that
gives us the lump in our throats and tears to our eyes.
This is the story behind the song...
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 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
war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the
Confederate Army.
The following morning, the heartbroken father
asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military
burial, despite his enemy status. His request to have a group
of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the
funeral, was only partially granted - turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.
However, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give
him 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 haunting melody is known as "The Last
Post".
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.
