What is a Tattoo?

Imagine yourself sitting in a tavern in seventeenth-century Holland. In these days, when British troops served in the lowlands, it was the custom for a drummer to march through the streets beating his drum to warn the troops that it was time to leave the taverns and return to their billets for the night.

The Dutch innkeepers, at the sound of the drum, would order "doe den tap toe" or "turn off the taps", the local last call equivalent of "time, gentlemen, please".

In English, "taptoe" became "tattoo" and over the years the drummer was accompanied by a fife or bugle player and, perhaps a piper. Such groups were the beginnings of the regimental band and, in an early exercise in public relations, the band regularly performed concerts for the local population.

What started as a practical daily routine in army life is today the military tattoo, a show featuring lively rhythm of marching bands, elegant dancers, stirring cadence of the pipes and drums and breathtaking military displays.

The Last Post

It is said that the playing of the Last Post is derived from the old custom of beating Tattoo. When bugle calls were generally introduced two posts were written. First Post symbolises stopping at the first inn to see that all soldiers had left and the Last Post symbolises the inspection of the last inn in the town. The Last Post was to become associated with the end of the day and later, with military funerals.

November 2, 2009 The Last Post as performed by the Governor General's Foot Guards. (Footguard's YouTube channel.)