History of "Tie A Yellow Ribbon" (the 1973 song) for those who aren't old like me

[pw2pp]

THIS particular song, by Tony Orlando and Dawn, came out in 1973. (there was actually a song that came out long before this one in 1917 titled "Around Her Neck She Wore a Yellow Ribbon").

But the 1973 Tony Orlando song was actually about a guy who spent 3 yrs in PRISON ("I'm coming home, I've done my time" and later in the song "I'm really still in prison") - NOT about a guy who went to war.

In the song he is telling his girl/woman to tie a yellow ribbon round the Old Oak Tree IF SHE STILL WANTS HIM after he served his time.

The song never had anything to do with a soldier or the war, but for some reason the yellow ribbon has been used to symbolize our soldiers fighting in the war.


Here are the lyrics:

Tie a Yellow Ribbon
(Round the Old Oak Tree)
Words and Music by Irwin Levine and L. Russell Brown

I'm comin' home, I'VE DONE MY TIME
Now I've got to know what is and isn't mine
If you received my letter telling you I'd soon be free
Then you'll know just what to do
If you still want me
If you still want me

Whoa, tie a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
It's been three long years
Do ya still want me? (still want me)
If I don't see a ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
I'll stay on the bus
Forget about us
Put the blame on me
If I don't see a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree

Bus driver, please look for me
'cause I couldn't bear to see what I might see
I'M REALLY STILL IN PRISON
And my love, she holds the key
A simple yellow ribbon's what I need to set me free
I wrote and told her please

Whoa, tie a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
It's been three long years
Do ya still want me? (still want me)
If I don't see a ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
I'll stay on the bus
Forget about us
Put the blame on me
If I don't see a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree

Now the whole darn bus is cheerin'
And I can't believe I see
A hundred yellow ribbons 'round the ole oak tree

I'm comin' home, mmm, mmm

(Tie a ribbon 'round the ole oak tree)
(Tie a ribbon 'round the ole oak tree)
(Tie a ribbon 'round the ole oak tree)
(Tie a ribbon 'round the ole oak tree)
(Tie a ribbon 'round the ole oak tree)
(Tie a ribbon 'round the ole oak tree)...

 

[Dan Murphy]

Very interesting, pw2pp.

 

[luckywife]

That is interesting. I've heard the song before, guess I didn't pay much attention to the lyrics, I always thought it was about a man coming home from a war. Thanks for sharing, I learned something new today.

 

[JetMom]

The yellow ribbons were first used to symbolize hope for the release of the 52 Americans that were held hostage in Iran from Nov. 1979 to Jan. 1981. The hostages were " imprisoned" for 444 days. Therefore, there was a much more logical connection to the song.


edited for spelling.

 

[Pooh67_68]

I love that song, it is one of my favorites.
I remember and interview with Tony quite a while ago, and he was suprised but happy that is became associated with men comming home for war and he redid the song.

 

[kejoda]

My Mom always used yellow ribbons when one of the kids were coming home(NOT from jail ) , that is if she knew. I hardly ever told her that I was coming. More fun to walk in the door and give her a heart attack!

 

[6_Time_Momma]

I knew that song and what it was about. I guess it certainly doesn't bother me that the yellow ribbon is now used for men and women in the service.

Does it bother you or are you just pointing out the history? Just wondering.

 

[pw2pp]

Originally posted by 6_Time_Momma
I knew that song and what it was about. I guess it certainly doesn't bother me that the yellow ribbon is now used for men and women in the service.
Does it bother you or are you just pointing out the history? Just wondering.

Oh no absolutely not Kristy. I was just pointing it out because I think that alot of younger people (under 40ish) think the song was about a man coming home from the war. There was a thread here yesterday about it...... they were asking what came first...... the yellow ribbons for our troops or the song?
So I thought it would be interesting to point out that the man was coming home from PRISON (not from a war). That's all.

 

[gina2000]

Truthfully, though, "doing your time" implies any sort of stint...be it prision or military. And I believe his heart is what's still in prison...a prisoner of love.

I believe it's meant to be just a love song written by someone who's been away. I've never heard any sort of explanation from the lyricist, though, and I could be wrong.

 

[gina2000]

I found an interesting article. It supports your statements....

http://www.loc.gov/folklife/ribbons/ribbons.html