| Chapter 5 Traditions |
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| THE BIFFY! There's a small square building out in back, With walls and a roof just full of cracks. As for paint and fresh air there's lack, THAT'S THE BIFFY! With a roof that leaks and a latch that's worn, Where flies by the million are bred and born, And an old cleaning chart sits tattered and torn, THAT'S THE BIFFY! The best little building you've ever seen, The place is never really clean, Their all the color of a bean, THAT'S THE BIFFY! The city girls won't ever know, What its like to fall into a sharpe edged hole, THAT'S THE BIFFY! But when you get the urge and have to go, Be it rain or shine or sleet or snow, or even dark of night don't be slow, HEAD FOR THE BIFFY!!!! ~Auther unknown Revised by Rachel D. Taps We have all heard the haunting song, "TAPS." It's the song that gives us hat lump in our throats and usually creates tears in our eyes But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be pleased to find out about it's humble beginnings. Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the 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 "Taps" used at military funerals, was born. 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 "Taps" 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. ~Author Unknown Thank You to Megan S. |