Lyrics for Taps?

During the Civil War, one of the easiest ways for a soldier to remember and recognize the many bugle calls heard both in battle and throughout the duty day was through words or ditties that were set to the notes of the calls for this exact purpose. Following this common practice, soon after Taps was first sounded in July 1862 unofficial lyrics were put with the music, below are some of the more popular verses:

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the hills, from the lake,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.

Fades the light; And afar
Goeth day, And the stars
Shineth bright,
Fare thee well; Day has gone,
Night is on.

Thanks and praise, For our days,'
Neath the sun, Neath the stars,
Neath the sky,
As we go, This we know,
God is nigh.

Tradition credits Union Army General Daniel Butterfield, Congressional Medal Of Honor recipient (above) with being the composer of Taps. Some say he penned lyrics as:
“Dan, Dan, Dan, Butterfield, Butterfield.”