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Taps, by Sergeant Major Woody English

by Fred Child

Audio for this story from Performance Today is not available.

 

Listen: Hear Sgt. Major English's Interview and Performance

Words to "Taps"

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,

And the stars

Shineth brith,

Fare thee well,

Day has gone,

Night is on.

Thanks and parise,

For our days.

'Neath the sun,

'Neath the stars,

'Neath the sky,

As we go,

This we know,

God is nigh.

NPR's Fred Child interviews Sergeant Major Woody English, the trumpet soloist for the U.S. Army Band about the song "Taps." English performed the piece at this year's national memorial service for the late President Ronald Reagan.

The Woodman

Sergeant Major Woody English, trumpet soloist for the U.S. Army Band.

English talks about the origins of the song during the Civil War and the new "digital bugle" that plays his recording of "Taps" at U.S. military funerals with the push of a button.

Following the interview is a performance of composer James Curnow's "Concertpiece" featuring English as the trumpet soloist.

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