Learn English with English, baby!

Join for FREE!

Social_nav_masthead_logged_in
Tie A Yellow Ribbon' Round The Old Oak Tree

Tie A Yellow Ribbon' Round The Old Oak Tree

Date: Oct 06 2007

Topic: Idioms and Slang

Author: steppe

Lesson

I'm coming 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. Oh, tie a yellow ribbon 'round the old oak tree. It's been three long years, do you still want me. If I don't see a ribbon 'round the old oak tree. I'll stay on the bus, forget about us, and put the blame on me. If I don't see a yellow ribbon 'round the old 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. Oh, tie a yellow ribbon 'round the old oak tree. It's been three long years, do you still want me. If I don't see a ribbon 'round the old oak tree. I'll stay on the bus, forget about us, and put the blame on me. If I don't see a yellow ribbon 'round the old oak tree. Now the whole damn bus is cheering. And I can't believe I see. A hundred yellow ribbons 'round the old oak tree!.

Comments

Log in to Comment

graciemilligan

United Kingdom

As a dissertation writer this article may help me to improve my [url=http://best-uk-dissertation.com/”]dissertation writing services[/url]. So I like to thaks to you.

11:28 AM Feb 11 2017 |

avinashsingh00

Iraq

thanks ….

07:58 AM Jan 17 2008 |

Chikako Honda

Japan

Now I have learned  the  song's origin and the relation between the movie released in Japan and that story,too. I believe the movie was based on the same American stoy about a  prisoner and his wife during civil war era.  Thank you for  the  detailed answer to my question. 

11:24 AM Oct 09 2007 |

steppe

steppe

Viet Nam

Folklore has it that the inspiration for the 1973 song came from a true incident that occurred on a bus bound for Miami, Florida. It seems that one of the passengers had just been released from prison and he was bound for home. He had written his wife and let her know he still loved her and wanted to be with her. He asked her to tie a yellow ribbon around the lone oak tree in the Town Square of White Oak, Georgia, if she still had feelings for him and wanted him to be with her.
L. Russell Brown had the inspiration for writing the song. One late spring morning he drove 33 miles to Irwin Levine’s house and told him the story of the oak tree, but it had nothing to do with any convict or news story.
It was about a civil war soldier, a stagecoach and yellow handkerchiefs. Irwin changed the yellow handkerchiefs to ribbons so as not to offend anyone with the reality of what makes handkerchiefs yellow! Russell Brown and Irwin Levine updated the story by changing the stagecoach to a bus. Russell Brown picked up a guitar and wrote the first eight or so lines of music and lyrics himself. Irwin picked up the ball and wrote the ending: “100 ribbons round the ole oak tree”.
“Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree” was released in February 1973. It was the number one hit by April 1973. The song became a hit again in 1981 when the 52 Iran Hostages were returned after 444 days of captivity. The song was played throughout the United States because, by then, the Yellow Ribbon had become a symbol of loyalty
< from Internet>

04:33 AM Oct 09 2007 |

Chikako Honda

Japan

Yes, it's a romantic and genuine love story .  I wonder if it is your country's story. To my surprise, in Japan there was almost same movie some years ago.  The lady waiting for the prisoner tied not a ribbon but  yellow hankerchieves on the windows of her apartment. The title was "Happy yellow handkerchief"  

11:05 AM Oct 08 2007 |

steppe

steppe

Viet Nam

This is a true story, a very romantic one about a prison and his lover. I like this song very much because of its romance but above all I admire the girl’s faithfulness. It’s hard to seek a girl who can wait for a prisoner for so many years! I hope that you will love this song and you’ll find a girl like her!

03:55 AM Oct 08 2007 |

Likes (1):

See all >

Share this lesson:

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Bebo
  • Share on Myspace
  • Share on Twitter
  • Email this to a friend
  • Share on Sina

Post Ebaby! lessons on your blog:

Ebaby! Cast