10-2-4 Ranch 43-04-16 195 1st Song - 'Riding Down that Old Wyoming Trail'

Summary

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Harold's Old Time Radio – Episode Summary

Episode: 10-2-4 Ranch 43-04-16, "Riding Down that Old Wyoming Trail"
Date Released: September 16, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

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Overview

This episode of Harold’s Old Time Radio transports listeners to the Golden Age of Radio with a vintage broadcast of "10-2-4 Ranch," originally aired on April 16, 1943. Featuring beloved radio and screen personalities Dick Foran, Martha Mears, and the Sons of the Pioneers, the episode is a nostalgic musical roundup filled with western ballads, heartwarming stories, and classic jingles—brought to the audience by the Dr. Pepper company.

The characters reminisce on favorite performances from the past year, share personal anecdotes, pay homage to listeners at home and abroad, and deliver the comforting, wholesome entertainment that defined wartime radio.

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Key Discussion Points and Musical Highlights

1. Opening and Welcome

• [00:39] - First Song: "Riding Down that Old Wyoming Trail"
  The episode opens with a classic western ballad sung by Miss Peggy, establishing the atmosphere of the wide, nostalgic American West.

• [00:51] - Hosts introduce themselves and the show, linking the setting to Dr. Pepper and its coast-to-coast reach.

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2. A Retrospective Theme

• [02:31] - The group decides to make this a “favorites” episode, performing their most-loved songs from the past year and recalling their fondest program moments.

  • “Suppose we do again all our favorite songs from the last year or so?” — Dick Foran ([02:49])

• [02:55] - Art Gilmore agrees to reprise his favorite Dr. Pepper messages, blending sponsor messages with the friendly spirit of the show.

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3. Memorable Dr. Pepper Messages

• [03:07] - Art Gilmore’s Salesmanship Talk
  Gilmore delivers a low-key, persuasive "sales pitch" for Dr. Pepper, emphasizing personal discovery:
  • “I’m not one of those high pressure salesmen...I merely told you.” — Art Gilmore ([03:07])

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4. Musical Memory Lane

• [04:08] - Dick Foran performs his favorite tune
  Listeners are treated to a tender cowboy song about longing and homecoming.

• [05:14] - The cast reflects on a touching memory involving a six-year-old boy, described with vivid affection, symbolizing the innocence and hope of wartime America.

  • “Would you believe me when I tell you...he’s six years old next month.” — Miss Peggy ([05:14])

• [06:02] - Lullaby for Children
  A gentle bedtime song is dedicated to young listeners, connecting family and home.

• [07:03] - Irish Ballad: "Come Back to Erin"
  Sung for two young guests, reinforcing themes of heritage and familial bonds.

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5. Wartime Reminiscence

• [07:55] - Miss Peggy recalls knitting sweaters for servicemen, sharing the poignant emotion of the home front during World War II:

  • “Tied up in that yarn are the heartbeats of millions of women...our hearts just don’t beat the same right now.” — Miss Peggy ([08:01])

• [09:03] - "Knitting Serenade"
  A song symbolizing support and warmth sent overseas.

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6. Request Songs and Personal Stories

• [10:03] - The group honors a wedding request, performing "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen"—a thread linking generations of women, soldiers, and loved ones parted by war.

• [11:33] - The cast shares memories of Christmas 1942, emphasizing the show’s role in connecting those near and far during turbulent times.

  • “Yes, in all climes and countries where windows were lit to guide the feet of the Christ child...” — Miss Peggy ([11:41])

• [12:45] - Lullaby: "Lullaby and Good Night"
  A gentle close to the family-style program.

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7. Sponsor Messages with Personality

• [13:28] - Art Gilmore speaks about Dr. Pepper’s rigorous sanitation and hygiene standards:

  • “With more than 400 bottlers...Dr. Pepper is as perfect as our skill, will, conscience, and scientific protection can make.” — Art Gilmore ([13:28])

• [14:45] - The “Dr. Pepper Song”: Encouraging listeners to enjoy Dr. Pepper for energy and pleasure.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I'm not one of those high pressure salesmen who aims to overwhelm you with words. I merely told you.” — Art Gilmore ([03:07])
• “Tied up in that yarn are the heartbeats of millions of women...Because our hearts just don’t beat the same right now.” — Miss Peggy ([08:01])
• “Each song holds a present memory…” — Dick Foran ([13:11])

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Noteworthy Segment Timestamps

• [00:39] - Opening song: “Riding Down that Old Wyoming Trail”
• [02:31] - Establishing the “favorites” theme for the episode
• [03:07] - Art Gilmore’s personal Dr. Pepper testimonial
• [05:14] - Heartfelt tribute to a young boy embodying the spirit of the West
• [07:03] - “Come Back to Erin” — Irish lullaby for young visitors
• [08:01] - Miss Peggy’s wartime knitting reflection
• [10:36] - “I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen” for a wartime bride
• [11:41] - Miss Peggy on the universality of Christmas songs
• [13:28] - Dr. Pepper Sanitation Standards
• [14:45] - Dr. Pepper jingle
• [15:01] - Episode closing and credits

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Tone and Atmosphere

Warm, familial, and nostalgic, the episode effortlessly blends easy camaraderie, gentle humor, homespun values, and sponsor messages—emulating the inclusive spirit of 1940s radio variety shows.

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For New Listeners

This episode offers a sentimental journey for those who cherish vintage radio, traditional western ballads, and the memory of communities united through sound. Each story and song is laced with warmth, making this a quintessential example of Golden Age radio at its best.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

I'll be riding down that old Wyoming trail.

[C]

Hiya, partner.

[B]

Hello, folks. Welcome to the 1024 Ranch.

[C]

Yes, the 1024 Ranch. Starring your radio and screen favorites, Dick Paran, Martha Mears and the Sons of the Pioneers. Transcribed and brought to you by your Dr. Pepper bottler and the thousands of Dr. Pepper dealers from coast to coast.

[D]

And here's our pretty little Boss of the 1024 to sing for you.

[B]

When the sun goes down in the western sky and the hills of Ro Sing their lullaby I'll be riding down that old Wyoming trail Then the coyote on their lone prairie as they start to prowl on their nightly spree I'll be riding down that old Wyoming trail I'll just be riding along singing my song Hippie I m B A hippie ki get along, little pony get along, get along when the moon shines bright in the sky above it will lead me right to the one I love I'll be riding down that old wild trail.

[C]

I'll just go jogging along Ah.

[D]

Mighty pretty, Miss Peggy. Mighty pretty. It reminds me of the time that you sang that song for the boys on our overseas show nearly a year ago.

[E]

Nearly a year ago. Yes, it has been that long, Dick. Come to think of it, this is just about our 200th 1024 rancho. Counting those we've made especially for the boys overseas.

[D]

That gives me an idea. Miss Peggy, suppose we do again all our favorite songs from the last year or so?

[C]

Good idea, Dick. Let's make this a favorite program. You and Miss Peggy sing your favorite songs and I'll repeat my two favorite messages of the past year from Dr. Pepper Company.

[E]

Fair enough. Art Gilmore, what is your favorite number one?

[C]

Well, it's a talk about salesmanship. Not mine, but the doctors. It goes like this, friends. I'm not one of those high pressure salesmen who aims to overwhelm you with words. I don't insist that you must like Dr. Pepper simply because I do. And millions of others do too. I Ask you only to try it a few times. If you've done this and still like another drink better. You're a rare exception. If you haven't, well, please do this just to be good to you. Get a Dr. Pepper, a good icy cold one chilled to 34 degrees. And then close your eyes and open your mind. Taste it inquiringly. Get the full sensation of that rich, luscious flavor. Not too tart, not too sweet. Simply ideal. And golly, is it good. It's a thrill, all right. But better still, it perks you up when you're hungry, thirsty and tired. Won't you try it? Please? And when it wins you remember it was not I who sold you. No, I merely told you.

[E]

Thank you, Art. And now, here's Dick Faran with one of his top favorite tunes. Do you remember when Dick and the boy sang this trail?

[C]

See that lonesome cowboy Riding down that.

[F]

Lonesome trail sun goes down where it's all done Evening's here at last the moon comes up behind the hills I love I'm riding home.

[C]

See that lonesome trail.

[E]

That was a mighty pleasant memory, Dick. And do you remember the time we were talking about the west and I said there was one particular person I wanted to sing to just then? Let's see. How would I describe him? Well, he's pretty much like the West. Soft spoken, almost shy. Handsome, straight as an arrow. The sun has tanned his cheeks and the wind has tousled his hair. And his eyes. His eyes are as blue as the sky over New Mexico. And they look right through you and into your heart. Would you believe me when I tell you that I think he has everything it takes to make a man? He's. Let's see, he's six years old next month.

[B]

Mr. Sandman's on his way Better put your toys away and consider it a day. Little sleepy hair. Now, you've had your share of fun. Say good night to everyone for another day is done Little sleep.

[D]

Yes, and that one reminds me of the time a couple of Irish youngsters, Michael and Patrick Varan, went east to visit their grandmother. And I said, now, just in case you youngsters find the east isn't exactly like the west, and just in case you happen to have a little trouble dropping off to sleep at night, here's a grand old Irish song your dad used to sing you to sleep with. Remember, boys?

[F]

Come back to air in my morning My morning Come back aroon to the land of Iber Come with the shamrocks in springtime Mavourneen and Its Killarney shall reign with armor over the green sea Mavourneen, Mavourneen Long shone the white sail that far they are away.

[E]

And I know they remembered it too, Dick, for when they came back, they asked you to sing it all over again.

[D]

Ah, that they did. But do you remember, Miss Peggy, last winter when you were knitting a sweater and we asked you to sing a song?

[E]

And I said. I said, let's see. This is the fifth sweater I've knitted since war was declared last December. I know where two of them are, but the other two I don't know. One's in Australia, where it's summer now and he doesn't need it. And one is, well, somewhere on the North Atlantic. I hope the spray of the salt water hasn't faded or the winds unraveled it. Because tied up in that yarn are the heartbeats of millions of women. Knitting and purling now and again, dropping a stitch because. Well, because our hearts just don't beat the same right now. And the yarn gets all tangled up with the beat. As we try so hard with our fingers to weave a little symbol of warm protection around the hearts of others. Others who are very dear to us.

[B]

Maiden sitting in a room By a firelight's fading glow. Knitting one dreaming of Tom, of d of Harry. Hear the click of the little chips. It's the knitting serenade. You just sit while they click, click, click. In a jiff it will be made five. In a jiff it will be made Five little. In a gif it will be made Five little fingers Make a glove for someone. You're home.

[D]

A memory. That one was, Miss Peggy. And it was just about that time that I had a special request from a young couple getting married that night in San Diego. It was her favorite song, as it was her mother's and her grandmother's before her. The next day, Tom sailed, probably for the Solomon Islands. And the bride, well, I wonder since. What has happened to this girl, this girl who was named like her mother and her grandmother before her. Kathleen.

[F]

I'll take you home again, Kathleen. Across the ocean wild and wide. To where your heart has ever been since first you were my bonnie bride. The roses all have left you cheek. I have watched them fade away and die. Your voice is sad whene' er you speak. And tears within your loving.

[E]

And then. Then came Christmas, 1942.

[D]

Yes, it was a pretty solemn Christmas here at the 1024 ranch. Do you remember, Miss Peggy, I said, how about a Christmas song from you?

[E]

And you said, well, I'd like to. I'd like to sing a Christmas song. But you've already heard all my favorite songs this Christmas week. So instead, I'd like to sing a song I think belongs to Christmas more than any other time of the year. It's a universal song. Ageless, loved by everyone. This week it was sung in England as the days of joy and sadness were counted. In Switzerland, where the sheep on their Christmas procession wound over the hills. Yes, in all climes and countries where windows were lit to guide the feet of the Christ child should he chance to walk their streets. Don't tell me this isn't a song for Christmas, because I know it must be. It's the song of a mother and a child.

[B]

Lullaby and good night with roses creep into thy bed.

[D]

Ah, grand favorite. Yes, Every one of these songs holds a present memory.

[E]

Yes, all of them, Dick. And more. There were some grand letters from our Dr. Pepper friends about them, too. Which reminds me, Art Gilmore. How about that other favorite among your Dr. Pepper matches?

[C]

Well, I think that would be the PSSH. But here's one that means plenty to Dr. Pepper Co. With more than 400 bottlers. And incidentally, to you. It's called DPSSH. That's short for Dr. Pepper Standard of Sanitation and Hygiene. And I assure you, it's plenty strict. Dr. Pepper company is conscious always that Dr. Pepper is a food for human consumption. In the manufacture of Dr. Pepper syrup, the finest ingredients are compounded under rigid hygienic conditions. It's required that bottles be sorted, soaked, sterilized, scrubbed and rinsed. Water is purified. The finished product must pass inspection. Bottle Dr. Pepper is as perfect as our skill will, conscience and scientific protection can make. But Dr. Pepper Company doesn't stop there. At frequent intervals, random samples purchased from retail coolers are laboratory tested to further assure protection. When you or your children choose Dr. Pepper, you may enjoy it with confidence that it is good, clean, wholesome and safe.

[B]

Think that picks up energy? Just ask for Dr. Pepper and you'll sing along with me.

[C]

Drink Dr. Pepper and you live your life more.

[B]

Remember Dr. Pepper time. And then.

[D]

That'S all for now, folks. We'll be seeing you.

[C]

Dick Moran appears on the 1024 ranch through the courtesy of Universal Pictures. The Sons of the Pioneers are by arrangement in Republic Studios, and Martha Mears is Miss Peggy. 1024 Ranch is written and produced by Harry Wayne McMahon and comes to you from Hollywood. Transcribed this is Art Gilmore wishing you good luck and good going with Dr. Pepper at 10, 2 and 4 o'.

[B]

Clock.