Bugle Call "Taps" is 150 Years Old Today

The mournful, iconic notes of America's most famous bugle call will sound at special ceremonies to mark the melody's 150th birthday today.

"Taps" began "as a replacement signal to order lights out at the end of the day in the military," according to Taps150.org.

The website goes on to explain that the song evolved "into funeral honors accorded all uniformed persons who have faithfully served our country."

Facts about "Taps":

• The melody consists of 24 notes.
• "Taps" is played at each of the 2,500 wreath-laying ceremonies held every year at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.
• "Taps" is also known as "Butterfield's Lullaby" because it was arranged in its present form by a Civil War Union Brigadier General named Daniel Butterfield.

Here are the original lyrics to "Taps":

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 near
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.