(Blowin’ in the Wind is a regular feature on my blog consisting of an assortment of nature writings – hymns, songs, prayers, scriptures, poems or other things – pieces I may not have written but that inspire me. I trust they will do the same for you.)
It’s just a simple little song with four notes, but what a complete wallop of emotion, thoughtfulness, even pathos it can pack. It is commonly known as “Taps.” But unless you are from my generation or older, you may not know that the tune is also a wordless rendition of a lovely little nature hymn denoting sunset and end of day.
Day is Done
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 nigh
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.
My first association with “Taps” came early in life at a Bible camp we used to attend each summer. Every night after ‘lights out,’ way off in the woods somewhere some kid, probably with a crew-cut and large ears, would play it on a trumpet as a blessing upon the day. Perhaps some of you remember it that way from scout camp. At Blessed Hope Bible Camp in Michigan, we’d first barely hear it as it was played on the women’s side of the campground; but then about five minutes later we’d hear it again nearer by, but still distant, and that denoted the time our counselor made us all shut up and go to sleep.
But the tune, of course, is also indelibly associated in our
culture with funerals, particularly those with military honors. Though
appropriate to the lyrics, and though a very somber moment in our life
experiences, in my estimation this gives the lyric and tune a sadness they do
not deserve.
Whether used then as an inspiration to rest or to rest in
peace, perhaps it also becomes somber or reflective in its bare, four-note
simplicity. I mean, even “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” has six! And it’s also
remarkably guileless today for a trumpet player to play it, who doesn’t even need
to change finger position!
And yet such could also be said of the setting sun – somber,
thoughtful, simple, completely common, yet awesome in its ability to take our
breath away or give us pensive pause. So let’s think about end of day before we
close, and perhaps in the process we can resurrect the song a bit from its
relegation to funerals.
Perhaps we can resurrect
the song… from its
relegation to funerals.
the song… from its
relegation to funerals.
Julian of Norwich (1342-1416) is remembered as saying, “All
shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.” She
bespeaks the same theme as our song. All is well. Safely rest. God is here.
"I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, for the
Lord sustains me."
Psalm 3:5
~~RGM, September 18, 2013
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