The origins of "Taps,” the distinctive bugle melody played at U.S. military funerals and memorials and as a lights-out signal to soldiers at night, date back to the American Civil War.

In July 1862, U.S. General Daniel Butterfield and his brigade were camped at Harrison’s Landing, Virginia, recuperating after the Seven Days Battles near Richmond. Dissatisfied with the standard bugle call employed by the Army to indicate to troops it was time to go to sleep, and thinking the call should sound more melodious, Butterfield reworked an existing bugle call used to signal the end of the day. After he had his brigade bugler, Private Oliver Wilcox Norton, play it for the men, buglers from other units became interested in the 24-note tune and it quickly spread throughout the Army, and even caught on with the Confederates.

Not long after Butterfield created "Taps,” it was played for the first time at a military funeral, for a Union cannoneer killed in action. The man’s commanding officer, "During the Peninsular Campaign in 1862, a soldier of Tidball's Battery A of the 2nd Artillery was buried at a time when the battery occupied an advanced position concealed in the woods. It was unsafe to fire the customary three volleys over the grave, on account of the proximity of the enemy, and it occurred to Capt. Tidball that the sounding of Taps would be the most appropriate ceremony that could be substituted."

As for the name "Taps,” the most likely explanation is that it comes from the fact that prior to Butterfield’s bugle call, the lights-out call was followed by three drum beats, dubbed the "Drum Taps,” as well as "The Taps” and then simply "Taps.” When Butterfield’s call replaced the drum beats, soldiers referred to it as "Taps,” although this was an unofficial moniker, according to "Taps” historian and bugle expert Jari Villanueva. He notes that Butterfield’s bugle call was officially known as "Extinguish Lights” in American military manuals until 1891. Since that time, "Taps” also has been a formally recognized part of U.S. military funerals.

Today at Berkeley Plantation, the historic estate located at Harrison’s Landing, there’s a monument commemorating the origins of "Taps” at the site. Berkeley Plantation also happens to be the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison V, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and William Henry Harrison, the nation’s ninth president.

Many believe Taps is a song, but officially it's not. Taps is a bugle call which is a signal, not a song so there are no "official" Taps Lyrics as well. 

The official military Taps is played by a single bugle or trumpet at dusk, during flag ceremonies and at military funerals by the United States Armed Forces. The duration is usually around 59 seconds but can vary at times.

Words to Taps

(Note: there are no "official" words to Taps but the most popular Taps Lyrics are below)

Day is done, gone the sun,

From the hills, from the lake, from the skies.

All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Go to sleep, peaceful sleep, may the soldier

or sailor, God keep. On the land or the deep, Safe in sleep.

Love, good night, must thou go,

when the day, and the night need thee so?

All is well. Speedeth all To their rest.

Fades the light;

And afar Goeth day,