Taps (bugle call)

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Taps
by Daniel Butterfield
MU1 Bill Dunn, a bugler from the U.S. Navy Band, plays "Taps" during a graveside service in Arlington National Cemetery.
Key	B flat
Form	Bugle call

Taps (in the key of B flat)

Taps as played on the bugle by a member of the United States Army Band

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"Taps" is a bugle call^[1] sounded to signal "lights out" at the end of a military day, and during patriotic memorial ceremonies and military funerals conducted by the United States Armed Forces.^[2] The official military version is played by a single bugle or trumpet, although other versions of the tune may be played in other contexts (e.g., the U.S. Marine Corps Ceremonial Music site has recordings of two bugle versions and one band version^[3]). It is also performed often at Girl Guide, Girl Scout, and Boy Scout meetings and camps. The tune is also sometimes known as "Butterfield's Lullaby", or by the first line of the lyric, "Day Is Done". The duration may vary to some extent.