In 1970, Tony Orlando was a retired cover singer. He had two Top 40 hits in 1961 and another in the later half of the decade as the lead singer for the studio group Wind, but he had not had any further success for the rest of the decade. He stopped singing entirely, publishing music for Columbia Records instead.
Orlando discovered a song, "Candida," which he decided to pass on recording. After an insistence that he dub his voice over the male vocals in the original track, he had the single released on Bell Records as performed by "Dawn", so if the record did not succeed, he would not be known as the lead vocalist. The background singers were Sharon Greane, Jay Siegel, and Toni Wine, who co-wrote the song. After single hit #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, Orlando decided to change career tracks.
While "Candida" climbed the record charts, Orlando discovered that there were six touring groups that called themselves "Dawn". As he assembled his new group, the name "Dawn featuring Tony Orlando" was chosen to be their new name.
He chose singers Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson to sing with him after he recorded "Knock Three Times" which hit #1 in early 1971. The group waited until 1973 for their next #1 single, "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Ole Oak Tree." In terms of sales, this single was the most successful in the group's career.
The group's next single,"Say Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose" (from their concept album Dawn's New Ragtime Follies) went to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. CBS gave the group a television variety show in the summer of 1974, after The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour ended its run. The show was in the same vein as its predecessor, and became a Top 20 hit. It ran until December 1976.
With a new name ("Tony Orlando and Dawn") and a new record label (Elektra), the group continued their string of hit singles during the show's run hitting the Top 10 on the Hot 100 and/or Adult Contemporary Charts including "He Don't Love You (Like I Love You)" (a reworking of Jerry Butler's "He Will Break Your Heart") which went to #1. A remake of the Sam Cooke song "Cupid", was the group's last Top 40 single on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976. "Sing" reached #7 on the Adult Contemporary Chart in 1977 and was the last Tony Orlando & Dawn single until 1991's "With Ev'ry Yellow Ribbon (That's Why We Tie 'Em)".
Orlando is still a popular appearance performer. Hopkins made a very successful acting career for herself in series like "Gimme a Break", "Family Matters", and "Half and Half". A DVD compilation from the variety series was released in 2005 along with the group's catalog of albums on CD. Tony Orlando & Dawn released "A Christmas Reunion" that same year.
Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree
Tony Orlando & Dawn 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 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 you still want me?
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
And I wrote and told her please
Whoa, tie a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
It's been three long years, do you 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 damned bus is cheerin'
And I can't believe I see
A hundred yellow ribbons round the ole oak tree
I'm comin' home
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
This song by Tony Orlando and Dawn is a heartwarming tale of a former convict who is returning home after serving time in prison. He is unsure if his lover still wants to be with him after his long absence, so he writes to her and asks her to tie a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree, a sign that she wants him to return. The song is filled with emotions of anxiousness, uncertainty, and hope, as the singer awaits a sign that will determine his future.
The lyrics are expertly crafted to convey a story about the power of love, forgiveness, and second chances. The singer is coming home after spending time in prison, and he is eager to know if his lover still wants him. He makes a plea to her through his letter, asking her to tie a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree. If he sees the ribbon, he will know that she still loves him and wants him back. However, if there is no ribbon, he will leave and never come back.
The song portrays a sense of hope and redemption, as the singer sees the yellow ribbons tied around the old oak tree, indicating his lover's willingness to accept him. The song shows how forgiveness and second chances can change lives, and how love can conquer all. It's a timeless classic that has touched many hearts over the decades.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm comin' home, I've done my time
After being away for a long time, I am finally ready to return home.
Now I've got to know what is and isn't mine
I need to know what has changed during my absence.
If you received my letter telling you I'd soon be free
I sent a letter to let you know that I will be coming home soon.
Then you'll know just what to do
You will know how to welcome me home.
If you still want me, if you still want me
I hope that you still love me and want me in your life.
Whoa, tie a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
If you want me to come home, tie a yellow ribbon around the tree as a signal.
It's been three long years, do you still want me?
I wonder if you still have feelings for me after all this time.
If I don't see a ribbon round the ole oak tree
If the ribbon is not there, I will assume that you no longer want me around.
I'll stay on the bus, forget about us, put the blame on me
If there is no ribbon, I will leave and blame myself for the relationship ending.
Bus driver, please look for me
I need help finding the ribbon and getting home.
'Cause I couldn't bear to see what I might see
I am afraid that I will be heartbroken if there is no ribbon.
I'm really still in prison and my love, she holds the key
I am still trapped by my feelings for you and only you can set me free.
A simple yellow ribbon's what I need to set me free
If you tie a ribbon, it will be a symbol of your love and set me free from my doubts.
And I wrote and told her please
I begged you in my letter to tie a ribbon if you still want me.
Now the whole damned bus is cheerin'
The other passengers are happy for me because they think I am going home.
And I can't believe I see
I am overwhelmed by the sight of all the ribbons.
A hundred yellow ribbons round the ole oak tree
You and many others have tied ribbons, showing that you still love and want me home.
I'm comin' home
I am finally returning home after being away for so long.
Tie a ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
This line is repeated to emphasize the importance of the symbol and the love it represents.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Irwin Levine, Russell Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-lr8ud2mv9d
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
僕は家に帰る途中
刑期を終えたところなんだ
いま僕は何が僕のもので
何がそうでないのか
知らなきゃいけない
まもなく自由になれるって
きみに告げた僕の手紙
受け取ってくれたなら
何をすべきかきみはわかってるね
きみがまだ僕を求めてるのなら
きみがまだ僕を好きでいてくれるなら
tie a yellow ribbon
'round the old 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 old 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 old oak tree
黄色いリボンを
古い樫の木に巻いておいてくれ
３年間は長かったけど
まだ僕を好きでいてくれるかい？
（僕をまだ好きでいて）
古い樫の木に
リボンが見つけられなかったら
僕はバスを降りない そして
二人のことはもう忘れるよ
それは僕のせいだから...
古い樫の木に黄色いリボンが
もしも巻かれていなかったら…
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
運転手さん
頼むから僕の代わりに見てよ
これから目に入る光景を
僕は確かめる勇気がない
釈放こそされたけど
僕はまだ牢屋にいるようなものだ
ああきみがそこから出してくれる
鍵を持ってるんだよ
たった一つの黄色いリボンが
僕を自由にしてくれる
僕はそう書いて
あの娘に託したんだ
tie a yellow ribbon
'round the old 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 old 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 old oak tree
黄色いリボンを
古い樫の木に巻いておいてくれ
３年間は長かったけど
まだ僕を好きでいてくれるかい？
（僕をまだ求めてくれ）
古い樫の木にリボンがなかったら
僕はバスを降りない
二人のことはもう忘れるんだ
すべて僕のせいにして...
古い樫の木に黄色いリボンが
もしも巻かれてなかったら…
Now the whole damned bus is cheerin'
And I can't believe I see …
A hundred yellow ribbons 'round the ole oak tree
…今やバスのなかはみんな大騒ぎ
僕も信じられないよ…
だって、百もの黄色いリボンが
古い樫の木に巻きつけられていたんだから…
I'm comin' home, mmm, mmm
いま僕は家に帰る途中さ…
(Tie a ribbon 'round the ole oak tree)
(Tie a ribbon 'round the ole oak tree)
(Tie a ribbon 'round the ole oak tree)
@user-ip9yu7lp1q
Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round..
I'm comin' home, I've done my time
나 고향에 돌아가요, 형기를 마치고
Now I've got to know what is and isn't mine
이젠 무엇이 내 것이고 무엇은 아닌지 알아야만 하죠
If you received my letter tellin' you I'd soon be free
그대 내가 곧 자유의 몸이 될 거라고 써 보낸 편지를 받았다면
Then you'll know just what to do
그러면 어떻게 해야 할지 알겠지요
If you still want me
그대 지금도 나를 원한다면
Tie a yellow ribbon round the ole oak tree
고향의 떡갈나무에 노란 손수건을 달아주세요
It's been three long years, do ya still want me?
3년이라는 세월이 흘렀는데, 그대 지금도 나를 원하나요?
If I don't see a ribbon round the ole oak tree
만약 고향의 떡갈나무에 손수건이 달려 있지 않다면
I'll stay on the bus, forget about us
나는 버스에서 내리지 않고, 우리 일은 모두 잊겠어요
Put the blame on me
모두 내 탓으로 돌릴께요
If I don't see a yellow ribbon round the ole oak tree
만약 고향의 떡갈나무에 노란 손수건이 달려 있지 않다면
Bus driver, please look for me
기사 양반, 나 대신 봐 주세요
'Cause I couldn't bear to see what I might see
나는 차마 내눈으로 볼 수 없을테니까요..
I'm really still in prison and my love she holds the key
나는 여전히 갇힌 몸, 열쇠는 내 사랑 그녀가 갖고 있죠
A simple yellow ribbon's what I need to set me free
자유의 몸이 되려면 노란 손수건만 있으면 되는데
I wrote and told her please
그녀에게 제발 그래 달라고 편지했지요
Now the whole damn bus is cheering and
버스 안의 모든 사람들이 환호성을 올려요
I can't believe I see
믿을 수가 없네요
A hundred yellow ribbons round the ole oak tree
내 눈앞에 고향의 떡갈나무에 백 개의 노란 손수건이 매여 있다니...
I'm comin' home,
나 고향에 돌아가요,
@TheWorld-of7dd
To whoever who's still listening to this, you have good taste in music
@anishkaa8553
honestly still one of my favorites lmao
@mitch3443ful
Thanks :)
@sunnywallace9310
I love the world
@TheWorld-of7dd
@Rose Lizano My wife's name also Rose 🌹
@TheWorld-of7dd
@Rose Lizano I will tell her, thanks 😊
@asw7456
The storytelling in this song is Phenomenal !!! Reels you in like a movie, by the time it gets to the cheering... no matter how many times I listen, I'm rooting for him and practically cheering myself. Such a beautifully writen song, someone needs to bring back story telling through music like this.
@jacobhamilton4888
This song is a masterpiece. He tells such a profound story in an economy of words that is precise. Incredible song. So clear, so creative, and so heart wrenching.
@mr.2cents.846
I feel the same way. As a kid the meaning went over my head. But a few years ago I payed attention to the words....and WOW.
@rtodd555
Do you understand the meaning???? This is a song of desperation and hope for POC. They hope that family's are still waiting for them, after they more then likely have got a case for bullshti!!!! Then did time in prison!