Silver Taps at A&M

You hear about the Aggie Band

And he Spirit of Aggieland.

But few have heard the are well Hymn

Of Silver Taps at A&M.

All day the flag flies at half-mast.

A sign to us of a solemn task,

To bid farewell to one who’s gone

With Silver Taps, he’s not alone.

The night is dark and very still.

Where Sully stands the area fills

With a silent crowd of those who care.

Their hears all joined in silent prayer.

The Ross Volunteers, the honor guard,

Speak for us all as their guns discharge.

Twenty one guns now blast the air

And fade away in the darkness there.

Then taps blows loud from the tower near.

And twice again so faint, so clear.

Like rustling wings of a soul in flight.

Silver Taps fades in the night.

You stand spellbound, you scarcely breathe 

With heavy heart you turn to leave.

Your Aggie friend no more you’ll see,

‘Till Silver Taps is blown for thee.

Silver Taps at A&M

Will always be our farewell hymn.

To those who’ve gone to heights unknown

With Silver Taps, he journeys on.

Written by Mrs. S. Jeanette Hennigan. After coming to A&M she loved working with the Singing Cadets and was chosen “Honorary Singing Cadet” in 1972. Having several of her poems published; her “Silver Taps at A&M” was used at A&M musters around the world.

This can be sung to the tune of “The Green Beret” with the last verse being the chorus.