I was listening to the 70s on 7 channel on Sirius XM Radio on my drive to work a few days ago when I heard “Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree” by Tony Orlando and Dawn. Of course, I sang along. And, of course, I could not get the song out of my head for the rest of the day.
The popular 1973 song, which sold 3 million records in just three weeks, depicts a man on a bus returning home from three years away and questioning whether he will be welcomed. Through a letter, he asks that a yellow ribbon be tied around the oak tree as a symbol that he should enter. If there is no ribbon, he will know to stay away. As the bus approaches his destination, the man can’t bear to look and asks the bus driver to tell him if a yellow ribbon can be seen. He then hears the busload of people start cheering as they see 100 yellow ribbons tied around the tree.
For many of us, the origins of the yellow ribbon tie to that song, and the meaning carried on. When hostages were held in captive in Iran, Americans showed their support by tying yellow ribbons around their trees, with hopes and prayers of a safe return in 1981. The ribbons returned during the Gulf War in the 1990s when troops were sent to the Middle East. But the ribbon has a much deeper history. Here are three examples:
First, a young woman would often tie a ribbon in her hair as a pledge of faithfulness to the one she loves and to show that she was not available for courtship.
Second, when ships would prepare to pull away from docks, long lengths of ribbon were thrown to the people aboard the ship to say goodbye. As the ships pulled away, the ribbons would break, marking the beginning of long separations.
And third, today we continue to wrap presents with ribbons of yellow and all colors to celebrate with those we love.
So although Tony Orlando’s song deserves credit for making the tying of yellow ribbons mainstream, his music did not begin the tradition. John Wayne fans who remember the 1949 movie “She Wore A Yellow Ribbon” will certainly attest to this.
These and dozens of other yellow ribbon historical ties can be found here, if you want to learn more. Or you can “just stay on the bus, forget about us, put the blame on me.”
Sing along, have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital editions
shane@dmcityview.com
641-755-2115