Growing up in Massachusetts, I went to Girl Scout camp for two weeks every August. My mother had been the camp nurse when I was very young and I attended even then.
So most of the years from age two till age thirteen, that's where I was the first two weeks in August. My mother's foster sister (my aunt) was the lifeguard and swimming coach there as well. And did I mention, my mother's foster mother (my grandmother), was the secretary for the local Girl Scout chapter.
Every night at camp we would have a campfire where we'd sing songs and talk about the day. The head counselor's name was Skipper (okay, nickname, but that's all I remember) and when we were done, Taps would be played and she would sing the lyrics below, then say "Goodnight, girls," and send us off to our cabins for sleep.
For the rest of my life, Taps has been associated with those words and the wonderful memories of those nights. Back then, I had no idea that Taps was associated with the military and funerals. According to this page, it was originally created to signal "lights out".
So it was very appropriate for Skipper to use at the end of every campfire.
Skipper died when I was about twelve and hers was the first funeral I ever attended.
Taps was played and I cried.
I still cry every time I hear taps.
My mum was a Cub Scout Akela so I went to cubs each week with her and my brother from age 4 through 12 years.
ReplyDelete‘Days done, gone the sun…. was sang/recited at the end of each pack meeting as the flag was lowered to signal the end of the meeting.
I tried Brownies and Girl Scouts but hated how girly and ‘flowery’ they were so stayed with mum in Cubs..lol
How fun! In the 50s, I don't remember the Brownies or Girl Scouts being girly (I was so NOT a girly-girl), but that may have been due to growing up in a very small town.
DeleteEven in Canada, I recall we sang the words of Taps at Guide Camp without any connection to the title. As an army mom, I am very familiar with the bugle calls (no words) that mark the hours and are most often publicly heard at military funerals and on Remembrance Day (November 11) - The Last Post, Reveille (the Rouse), and Piper's Lament. I can't get through either one of them without tears.
ReplyDeleteMusic definitely hits our soul.... Bagpipes are my other weakness, thanks to my Scottish heritage. I always tear up when I hear them.
DeleteGirl Scout and 4-H Camp memories warm my heart.
ReplyDeleteThere was no 4-H in my area until we moved to New Hampshire and since I was almost 16, I had no interest. LOL! My youngest brother did and raised a calf.
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