The Yellow Ribbon is used to support our troops abroad but what is its origin?

miltonebx

During the Viet Nam War, Tony Orlando and Dawn had a song called "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree" --which was a request by a soldier to his girl friend ---so she will remember him. It has since taken on a life of it's own. Feb 06 06, 2:36 PM

mochyn

no sorry much older than that Feb 06 06, 2:51 PM

SOTHC

http://urbanlegends.about.com/cs/historical/a/yellowribbon.htm gives an explanation Feb 06 06, 5:22 PM

Czolgolz

Actually, the guy in the song wasn't a soldier...he was getting out of prison...he wrote her to tie a yellow ribbon round the tree if she still had feelings for him...the song ends with a hundred ribbons around the tree. Feb 06 06, 5:59 PM

mochyn

sorry still not right Feb 06 06, 6:09 PM

soonappear

"Puritans lived life as a grand adventure". http://endtimepilgrim.org/yellowrib.htm Feb 06 06, 6:31 PM

mochyn

the puritans 400 years ago? Very close , right time frame, wrong people. Feb 06 06, 6:41 PM

minuscule_

welsh? Feb 06 06, 8:39 PM

mochyn

mmmmmmmmm miniscule, would you care to elaborate? Feb 06 06, 8:49 PM

peasypod

Ok, since I already have a 'VERY BIG YAY' in my pocket from mochyn, I guess I better suggest: 'Tying a yellow ribbon around a tree was originally a Welsh tradition from the 18th century. Originally, Welsh settlers in America planted daffodils outside their homes to welcome new arrivals from Wales, but later they used a yellow ribbon tied around a tree instead. New immigrants would therefore know where their fellow countrymen were living.' Taken from: http://www.guildofglyndwr.co.uk/misc.htm Feb 06 06, 8:51 PM

mochyn

YAY, PEAS, 5 out of 6 of the first presidents were of Welsh descent.Many also signed the DECLARATION of INDEPENDENCE.The Welsh were instrumental in making the US what it is today Feb 06 06, 10:13 PM

SOTHC

It is about time they apologised then Feb 08 06, 5:56 PM

soonappear

Must have been Welsh Puritans in 1645. Feb 08 06, 6:44 PM