WIL DARCANGELO: Music

Early in 1973, pop singers Tony Orlando and Dawn cut the single that was to become their all-time classic and the number one single of that year -- "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree." The song was based on an actual incident that occurred aboard a southern bus bound for Miami. One of the passengers explained to the driver that he was just out of prison, having served three years for passing bad checks. In a letter to his wife, he had written that she didn't have to wait for him; but, if she was still interested, she could let him know by tying a yellow ribbon around the only oak tree in the city square. As the bus rolled down U.S. 17, nearing the man's hometown of White Oak, Georgia, the driver was asked to slow down so that all could see whether the ribbon was in place. To the man's tearful relief, it was. The driver pulled over and phoned the story in to the wire services, which spread it all over the country.

Songwriters Irwin Levine and L. Russell Brown read it in the newspaper, then put together their million-selling ballad.

"Tie a Yellow Ribbon" was released by Bell in February 1973, and by April it was the number one record in the country. In all, it spent more than five months on the charts and sold more than seven million copies.

Since that time, the yellow ribbon has come to represent our prayers for the safe return of those who are away from us especially in times of war. It has come to develop its own deeply patriotic identity. This light and whimsical arrangement is perfect for outdoor summer concerts.

WINDS Piccolo; Flute; Oboe; Clarinet in Bb; Bassoon
BRASS Horn in F; Trumpet I, II, III; Trombone; Bass Tuba; Tuba
RHYTHM Marimba (featured)
STRINGS Violin I, II; Viola; Cello; Double Bass