Off Topic, but worth it..
On this weekend, for anyone who appreciates the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces, read on...
Many of you will have heard ‘The Last Post’ played on a Bugle, but did you know it’s other name, well it’s TAPS and you have probably not heard it played in its entirety. The Last Post was written in 1801 by Daniel Butterfield and in 1862 it was shortened to the familiar 24 notes for ceremonial occasions and renamed TAPS. Click on the link below and listen to the full version played by a 13 year old young lady named Melissa Venema, I assure you it’s worth it.
I thoroughly enjoyed the trumpet solo from that young girl, but I decided to look up the origins. Funnily enough it comes from HOLLAND. Ron
This custom dates from at least the 17th century, and originated with British troops stationed in The Netherlands, where it drew on an older Dutch custom, called taptoe, from which comes the term Tattoo as in Military tattoo, and also the term Taps, q.v.. The taptoe was also used to signal the end of the day, but has more prosaic origin. Taptoe originated signalling the moment that beer taps had to be shut, hence that the day had ended. It comes from the Dutch phrase Doe den tap toe, meaning "Turn the tap off": however the Dutch "Taptoe" bugle call Taptoesignaal, now used for remembrance events, is not the same tune as the Last Post. Neither Last Post nor Taptoesignaal is to be confused with the US call "Taps", which has a similar function but different tune and origin.
'Last post' has multiple functions and takes different forms...so there is no difinitive version..each one has it's own particular history. 'Sunset' known as well as the 'Retreat Call' is also used in the British Army to signal the end of the day. 'Last Post' can be used to signal the end of the day, the end of the evening inspection, the end of a battle and as a call for the fallen....Ian
I was a bugler in the Sea Cadets as a boy. We played 'Sunset' as the Ensign was lowered at the end of the evenings training. I always thought that it was the Naval version of 'Last Post'?? Ron
'Sunset' was written in 1932 as a Naval Bugle call and was a variation on an existing call..Also used by the Marines and the Royal Regiment of Artillery officially and unofficially by other Army units.
As a point of interest there are 296 British Forces Bugle Calls...Ian
Well there you go, we've all learnt something here I guess. I have learnt that I had only read part of the story behind Taps, the Last Post , Silence etc. so forgive me for that. Still it doesn't detract from the the girl's mastery of the trumpet, very impressive.