Como was also very popular in the UK. His chart successes ranged from 1953 to 1974 and included two number one's, his first hit 'Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes' in 1953 and 'Magic Moments' which stayed at the top for 8 weeks in 1958. His other big UK hits were 'Delaware' ( No 3 in 1960), ' It's Impossible' (No 4 in 1971) , 'And I Love You So' (No 3 in 1973), and 'For The Good Times' (No 7 in 1973).
As well as TV and recording success, Perry Como also made a number of films, including ' Something For The Boys' and 'Doll Face' which were released during WW2.
He died in his sleep on 12 May 2001.
Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree
Perry Como Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now I've got to know what is and isn't mine,
If you received my letter,
Tellin' you I'd soon be free,
Then you'll know just what to do,
If you still want me . . .
If you still want me . . .
Tie a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree,
It's been three long years,
Do you 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 around 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,
Simple yella ribbon's, what I need to set me free . . .
I wrote and told her please . . .
Tie a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree,
It's been three long years,
Do you 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 . . .
Tie a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree,
. . . three long years,
. . . still want me ?
And now the whole damn bus is cheerin'
And I can't believe I see . . .
A hundred yellow ribbons 'round the ole . . .
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 . . .
The lyrics to Perry Como's song "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" tell the story of a man who spent three years in prison and is now on a bus heading home to his lover. He sent her a letter telling her he would soon be free, and now he anxiously awaits her response. The man asks the bus driver to look for a yellow ribbon tied around the old oak tree that stands outside his lover's house. If he sees the ribbon, it will mean that she still loves him and wants him back. If there is no ribbon, he will stay on the bus and accept the blame for their relationship ending.
The yellow ribbon was a symbol used during the 1970s to show support for soldiers who were fighting in the Vietnam War. The song became a popular anthem for soldiers returning home from war, and it was often played on the radio and television. The song's message is one of hope and reconciliation, and it has remained a popular and beloved song to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm comin' home, I've done my time,
I finished serving my sentence and now I'm heading back home.
Now I've got to know what is and isn't mine,
I need to know if there's still a place for me in your life or if you've moved on.
If you received my letter,
I hope you got the letter I sent to let you know I'd soon be free and coming back home.
Tellin' you I'd soon be free,
In the letter I sent you, I told you that I was soon going to be released from prison.
Then you'll know just what to do,
If you received my letter, you'll know what to do when I return home.
If you still want me . . .
I'm asking if you still want me in your life after all that's happened.
Tie a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree,
If you want me to come home, tie a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree as a sign of your forgiveness.
It's been three long years,
It's been years since I've been home, and I want to come back and be with you.
Do you still want me ? ( still want me ? )
I'm still wondering if you still love me after what I've done.
If I don't see a ribbon 'round the ole oak tree,
If I don't see the yellow ribbon when my bus passes by, I'll take it as a sign that you've moved on and I won't come home.
I'll stay on the bus, forget about us,
If I don't see the yellow ribbon, I'll keep on riding the bus and forget about coming home.
Put the blame on me . . .
If you don't want me anymore, blame me for everything that went wrong between us.
Bus driver please look for me,
I'm asking the bus driver to help me find out if there's a yellow ribbon tied around the oak tree.
'Cause I couldn't bear to see what I might see,
I don't want to see that there's no ribbon tied around the oak tree, as it will break my heart.
I'm really still in prison,
Even if I'm physically free from prison, I'm still trapped by my past and my relationship with you, waiting for a sign of our future.
And my love, she holds the key,
You hold the power over me, and if you tie a yellow ribbon, you hold the key to my future happiness.
Simple yella ribbon's, what I need to set me free . . .
All I need is a yellow ribbon tied around the oak tree to set me free from my past and allow me a new start at home with you.
And now the whole damn bus is cheerin'
Now that I see all the yellow ribbons tied around the oak tree, even the other passengers on the bus know that you still want me in your life.
And I can't believe I see . . .
I'm overjoyed to see all the yellow ribbons and can't believe my eyes.
A hundred yellow ribbons 'round the ole . . .
There are so many yellow ribbons tied around the oak tree that I can't even count them all.
The ole oak tree!
The oak tree has become a symbol of our love and reunification after years of separation.
Tie a ribbon 'round the ole oak tree,
The repetition of this line emphasizes the importance of the yellow ribbon as a symbol of hope and forgiveness of the past.
Contributed by Alaina K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
L.Russell Brown
I am blessed to be able to say the magical Perry Como recorded my song!
He is one of jewels in my musical crown.
Bing Crosby
Frank Sinatra
Perry Como
Dolly Parton
Montovani
and even Johnny Raye
Are but a few of the greatest recording artists that ever lived,
Who have lent their special talents to a song I composed with the late Irwin Levine.
HOWEVER--without Tony Orlando and Dawn's initial recording of YELLOW RIBBON,
non of the above could have ever taken place.
Ray Gray
Perry Como is pure gold. His voice is velvet and you can hear every single word that he sings. To me Perry was the ultimate singer. There was no one better than Mr. C.
Pina Colada
"Now the whole bus's cheering, and I can't believe what I see. A hundred yellow ribbons round the old oak tree."
This line always puts a smile on my face....
Hairyskinback
You are not alone :)
J. Zingler
:)
Wairimu Mutiti
He had a lovely voice. Very decent gentleman of his time who loved his family to the moon and back.
These Italian Ametican artists. namely Perry, Sinatra and Dean Martin were all gifted singers.
Hai Vu
The oldies song are the best. So much meaningful lyrics. I love perry coming. I used to listened to his song all the time on an 8 - tracks tape after coming over from vietnam. Rip mr combo.
L.Russell Brown
I am blessed to be able to say the magical Perry Como recorded my song!
He is one of jewels in my musical crown.
Bing Crosby
Frank Sinatra
Perry Como
Dolly Parton
Montovani
and even Johnny Raye
Are but a few of the greatest recording artists that ever lived,
Who have lent their special talents to a song I composed with the late Irwin Levine.
HOWEVER--without Tony Orlando and Dawn's initial recording of YELLOW RIBBON,
non of the above could have ever taken place.
Claudia Vela
L.Russell Brown love this song ¡😘😘😘
Andrew George
L.Russell Brown how did you write this beautiful song?
Xavier Vinas
And Dean "Dino"Martin, not forget him.