The Last Post

This is aimed at people who know what "The Last Post" is and what it means for remembrance of their respective countries heroes. This is the true story of the origins of "The Last Post".

Personally, this would have to be the only song/music on the face of the earth that reduces me to tears ever time I hear it. This was an email sent to me by a friend of my fathers' in America and I believe it should be shared with the world.

Note: I have no link to this, I am simply copy-pasting from an email I received......

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, but I checked it out and it's true:

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

Enjoy

[edit on 5/2/2010 by Kryties]

I really don't know hat to say, I flagged it so I felt I should comment on it. It was sad and I can only imagine the feelings families have listing to this after loosing a loved one. All countries should be thankful for the sacrifice soldiers make.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Lest We Forget

[edit on 5/2/2010 by Kryties]

reply to post by Kryties


I'm not too sure of the authenticity of that story...

I got this history of the Last Post from the Australian Army website:

The Last Post is one of a number of bugle calls in military tradition which mark the phases of the day. Where "Reveille" signaled the start of a soldier's day, the "Last Post" signaled its end. It is believed originally to have been part of a more elaborate routine, known in the British Army as "tattoo", that had its origins in the 17th century. During the evening, a duty officer had to do the rounds of his unit's position, checking that the sentry posts were manned and rounding up the off-duty soldiers and packing them off to their beds or billets. He would be accompanied by one or more musicians. The "first post" was sounded when the duty officer started his rounds and, as the party proceeded from post to post, a drum was played. The drum beats told off-duty soldiers it was time to rest - if the soldiers were billeted in a town, the beats told them it was time to quit the pubs. *

And the Lyrics:

Come home! Come home! The last post is sounding
for you to hear. All good soldiers know very well there
is nothing to fear while they do what is right, and forget
all the worries they have met in their duties through the
year. A soldier cannot always be great, but he can be a
gentleman and he can be a right good pal to his comrades in
his squad. So all you soldiers listen to this - Deal fair by all
and you'll never be amiss.

Be Brave! Be Just! Be Honest and True Men!

Interesting thread either way, I've always wondered the origins of the last post but ever thought to look it up.

reply to post by Chadwickus


I am not without doubt that the email I received could have been poor information, but having never bothered to look up the true story of The Last Post this seemed to ring true with me..

If I am wrong, please correct me! Seriously, I really do want to know the origins of this iconic music! If my information is wrong, and someone can provide evidence that it was conceived in a different situation, please feel free to post it! I believe this is a piece of music that we really should find the origins for, and if my information is wrong then it needs to be corrected.

[edit on 5/2/2010 by Kryties]

reply to post by Kryties


Fairly certain it is a tune played only in the British Empire.

Perhaps it has been confused with Taps?

The last post is indeed such a moving piece of music and every time I hear it I end up with tears in my eyes, become very solemn and I feel compelled to cease whatever I am doing and just listen.

However there are lots of musical examples that can turn make me quite tearful and all for different reasons that can be evocations of grand vistas or something to do with the finer aspects of human nature.

For me the last post always evokes consistent imagery of young men dying in warfare, leaving behind families that loved them. That is why I weep every time I hear it because that is the imagery it evokes of such strength it is almost trancelike.

Years ago when I was naive and young it used to make me weep because I used to associate the music with heroism and patriotism, warriors fighting and dying like lions for queen and country – now I see young and easily swayed men and woman dying for cynical old men who should be cast out and beaten mercilessly with sticks for their cold blooded thinking.

By the way I believe the last post was played at my Uncles funeral after he was shot through the head by an IRA sniper while leading a patrol on the falls road in Belfast – he was a Royal Green Jacket.

reply to post by Chadwickus


i know on anzac day here in aus the first and last post is played.. origins aside.. its a very strong and chilling piece of music. but beautiful in its own right

reply to post by Kryties


Some music vids-

Amazing Grace and The Last Post


Remebrance Day - The Last Post trumpet

reply to post by Chadwickus


I just read that in the United States, The Last Post is called Taps sometimes so as to distinguish it from The Last Post which is played in British Commonwealth nations.