 The song is told from the point of view of someone who has "done his time" but is uncertain if he will be welcomed home.He writes to his love, asking her to tie a yellow ribbon around the "ole oak tree" in front of the house (which the bus will pass by) if she wants him to return to her life; if he does not see such a ribbon, he will remain on the bus (taking that to mean he is unwelcome) and understand her reasons ("put the blame on me").He asks the bus driver to check, fearful of not seeing anything.