In a new series, Daily Cannon will be reviewing some of Arsenal’s favourite songs to share some of the history, culture and general match-day experience with fans from around the world.

And what better way to start on an FA Cup weekend than with the song which is synonymous with that competition?

Name:

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

What is it about?

The whole club and FA Cup games

What is the tune?

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

What is its origin?

The first recorded version of the song is the 1917 US war poem by George A Norton, about a girl who waits for her soldier. It was later popularised in a 1949 John Wayne film She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.

Arsenal started singing it in the 70’s and the song cemented its place in the Gunners’ repertoire when the team reached three consecutive finals in the 1977-78, 1978-79 and 1979-80 seasons. In each of those finals Arsenal wore yellow, and the song has stuck ever since.

In fact, Arsenal have worn yellow in five FA Cup finals, winning three compared to eight wins in red and white out of 13 attempts.

The song is so much a part of the folklore of the club now that there is even a banner at the Emirates with “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon” emblazoned on it hanging in the North Bank. Each year as you walk towards the stadium for the first FA Cup game, hearing this song being belted out by thousands of Gooners around you kick-starts that special buzz that only comes from the possibility of a cup run.

What are the lyrics?

She wore

She wore, she wore,
She wore a yellow ribbon,
She wore a yellow ribbon,
In the merry month of May!

And when, I asked,
Oh why she wore her ribbon,
She said it’s for The Arsenal,
And we’re going to Wembley!

Wembley,
Wembley,
We’re the famous Arsenal,
And we’re going to Wembley!

Wembley,
Wembley,
We’re the famous Arsenal,
And we’re going to Wembley!

What does it sound like?

Who better to demo the famous song than last year’s FA Cup winning squad? After we won the semi-final last year, the players got into spirit of things last year, creating this video in the days leading up to the Wembley showpiece and our triumph (9 years, what?)

Here’s to another great cup run!