Sound: Last Post at Anzac Day ceremony

Hear the playing of the Last Post during the 1956 dawn service at St Faith's Church, Ōhinemutu, Rotorua.

Credit

Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision – Radio New Zealand collection. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright. To request a copy of the recording, contact Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision. Reference number D619.1.

Find out more about the Last Post and see the sheet music on the Australian Anzac Day website

Image: detail from Bunnythorpe war memorial

How to cite this page

Sound: Last Post at Anzac Day ceremony, URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/sound/last-post-anzac-day, (Manatū Taonga — Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 11-Oct-2021

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Community contributions

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Anonymous Posted: 24 Sep 2008

Dawn parades are timed to concide with the landing of the ANZACS's in Gallipoli 1915.

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Kay Posted: 26 Feb 2010

Would like to share the poignant story behind the "Last Post". Here it is:

The Last Post

If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which The Last Post was played; this brings out a new meaning of it.

Here is something everyone should know.

We have all heard the haunting song, 'The Last Post.' It's the song that gives us the lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes.

But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the American Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.

During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment.

When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.

The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted.

The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral.

The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.

But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician.

The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform.

This wish was granted.

The haunting melody, we now know as 'The Last Post' used at military funerals was born.

The words are:

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 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

I too have felt the chills while listening to 'The Last Post' but I have never seen all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know there was more than one verse . I also never knew the story behind the song and I didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it along.

I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before.

Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country.

ALSO REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED AND RETURNED; AND FOR THOSE PRESENTLY SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES.

Please send this on after a short prayer.

Make this a Prayer wheel for our soldiers...please don't break it.

I DIDN'T!

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Mervyn Doobov Posted: 5 Mar 2010

The contribution by Kay refers to another song used by the USA called "Taps". It is also untrue. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taps

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Vilma and Charles Posted: 29 Mar 2010

Thankyou Kay for sharing your information about 'The Last Post'. I chanced upon this page and of course could not resist listening to the recording above. I think it is a lovely story it certainly got me going - and the words of the song do make an awesome prayer...certainly one that needs passing on.

Lest we forget...

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Stephen Brown Posted: 27 Apr 2010

I'm sorry to have to have to contradict Kay's story. The Last Post has been a regular bugle call in the British Military for many, many years. The "Last Post" referred to is the last group of out-lying sentries who were returning to the Fort/redoubt/city walls before any movement outwith the prescribed boundaries could be considerd to be enemy activity.
It is now used as a metaphor for the return of a Soldier to the arms of his God.

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jim Posted: 6 Nov 2010

No Disrespect Kay , but Stephen Brown is correct . Both laments are very sad and reserved for war casulties . kay tour story referes to "Taps"

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Chas Posted: 14 Aug 2012

So many variations but many years ago my father played The Last Post and did so for many years. I followed in his footsteps but what I would like to leave with you is that I learnt The Last Post from an 'official' book of bugle calls. It is interesting to note that The Last Post is made up of a number of regular bugle calls from 'Lights Out' to 'Come to the cookhouse now, boys' As has already been stated, all the calls originated in the British Army.

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Peter Posted: 21 May 2014

Kay's story is just that - a story. As has been posted already it is not a story in relation to the Last Post which has British origins, nor is it the origin of the American Taps. More information in the links below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taps_(bugle_call)
http://www.snopes.com/music/songs/taps.asp

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Eddie Posted: 12 Nov 2014

Beautifully played if a little slow, though played with so much feeling. A crotchet = 152 . This is by no means a criticism but more an observation. I absolutely love the story behind this call but on reading the words, think they are more in line with the American Taps and alas the story is American! Being ex RHA we use the Eb Cavalry trumpet playing a completely different version which is just as poignant but perhaps not as well known . Whenever I hear any of the Last Post calls it brings a lump to my throat especially if they are well played. May God rest our fallen soldiers and hold them in the palm of His hand.

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Tania Posted: 25 Apr 2020

What an honour to hear this piece of history., over 60 years old. Beautiful place for a dawn parade. I wonder if my grandfather was there for it and who was on the bugle.

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J. Hills Posted: 25 Apr 2022

Definitely agree with Tania's comment. Its played with true feeling in this audio clip and in 1956 there would have been veterans of both WW1 and WW2 in attendance no doubt.
Kays " story" sounds like ridiculous overly sentimental clap trap which seems to come from the USA.
The British Army have a very long tradition of bugle calls from which The Last Post as played at ANZAC ceremonies stems.

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