10-2-4 Ranch 43-07-16 234 1st Song - 'Chant of the Wanderer'

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: 10-2-4 Ranch 43-07-16 234 1st Song - 'Chant of the Wanderer'
Date: September 2, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio (featuring Art Gilmore, Martha Mears, Dick Foran, Bob Nolan, Tim Spencer, Sons of the Pioneers)

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Episode Overview

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio features the classic 1940s radio program “10-2-4 Ranch” (original airdate: July 16, 1943). The show evokes the spirit of the Golden Age of Radio, presenting music, comedy, and gentle banter from beloved voices such as Art Gilmore, Martha Mears, Dick Foran, and the Sons of the Pioneers. Vintage musical performances are interwoven with light-hearted humor and timely wartime messages, all centered on the communal, uplifting atmosphere families once shared around the radio.

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Key Discussion Points & Highlights

1. Musical Highlights and Performances

• Opening Song: “Chant of the Wanderer”
  Performed by the Sons of the Pioneers

  • [00:47 – 02:57]
  • The episode begins with a rich harmonization of this famous western ballad, evoking sweeping prairie landscapes, wanderlust, and imagery of the American West.
  • Notable repeating lines:
    • “Let me live on the range where the tumbleweeds grow, let the silver sand change where the prairie winds blow...”
  • Atmosphere: The song sets a nostalgic and adventurous tone for the show.

• “Just a Wish on a Falling Star”
  Performed by Martha Mears and Bob Nolan

  • [04:12 – 06:17]
  • A gentle duet expressing hope and happiness found by wishing on a star.
  • Notable lyric (Martha Mears, 04:12):
    • “Just a wish on a falling star as it fell from the sky so far made my life fall anew by just having you...”

• “Cool Water”
  Performed by Bob Nolan, Tim Spencer, and Lloyd

  • [09:30 – 12:24]
  • Classic Sons of the Pioneers song about hardship and hope in the desert.
  • Atmospherically introduced by Art Gilmore, who sets the scene:
    • “The setting is the desert. Burning sand and scorching sun. Heat that brings a tantalizing mirage to an old prospector...” (Art Gilmore, 09:30)
  • Harmony and longing permeate each verse.
  • Notable lyric (Tim Spencer, 10:01):
    • “All day I faced a barren waste without the taste of water... cool water.”

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2. Comedy and Banter

• Boxing Anecdotes and Bit Comedy

  • [06:20 – 09:19]
  • Dick Foran and Art Gilmore trade jokes about attending prize fights, with playful wordplay:
    • “One fella that was fighting they called Ace in a Hole because he was always face down.” (Dick Foran, 06:28)
    • “Instead of throwing in a towel, he threw in a Kleenex.” (Dick Foran, 06:44)
  • Running gag about Dick Foran's uncle punching Joe Louis, with a playful skepticism from Martha Mears:
    • “Oh, now, truthful. There you go again, stretching the truth.” (Martha Mears, 06:56)
    • “So help me, he punched Joe Louis right in the nose. Not once, but twice.” (Dick Foran, 06:59)

• Family and Domestic Humor

  • Lighthearted jokes about family life and fighting, including a jest from Pedro:
    • “If my wife and me put on a fight like that around the house, the kids, they would... well, they'd boo us out of the window.” (Pedro, 08:59)

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3. Wartime Messaging and Community Calls

• Bottle Return Appeal

  • [12:33 – 13:43]
  • Art Gilmore delivers a patriotic pitch urging listeners to return empty Dr. Pepper bottles, personifying them as “hobos” needing to be “put back to work” to help the war effort.
    • “My story is not about human hobos, but empty bottle hobos. They started out as fine, hard working servants of society...” (Art Gilmore, 12:33)
    • “Help us to keep it coming. It'll help you to keep a going.” (Art Gilmore, 13:41)

• Promotion of Dr. Pepper and Wartime Values

  • Throughout, Dr. Pepper is presented as a refreshing, energy-restoring drink, essential for both workers and servicemen.
  • Closing encourages support for the war effort:
    • “You've done your bit, now do your best. Buy more war bonds. Bye.” (Martha Mears, 15:17)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Cheerful Nostalgia & Western Spirit
  “Take a look at the sky where the whippoorwill trill and the mountain so high where the cataracts fill...”
  — Bob Nolan [00:47]

• Lighthearted Exaggeration
  “One fella that was fighting they called Ace in a Hole because he was always face down.”
  — Dick Foran [06:28]

• Homefront Patriotism
  “Are you harboring in your garage or pantry an accumulation of empty Dr. Pepper bottles?... Take them back to your store. We'll round them up, wash, scour, scrub and sterilize them till they're as shiny and clean as a hospital spoon and as glistening as your finest table crystals.”
  — Art Gilmore [12:33]

• Call to Community Action
  “Help us to keep it coming. It'll help you to keep a going.”
  — Art Gilmore [13:41]

• Final Wartime Message
  “You've done your bit, now do your best. Buy more war bonds. Bye.”
  — Martha Mears [15:17]

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Segment Timestamps

• [00:26] - Show Introduction & Cast Welcome
• [00:47 – 02:57] – “Chant of the Wanderer” by the Sons of the Pioneers
• [03:07 – 03:45] – Dr. Pepper Promotion (in character, blended with show)
• [04:12 – 06:17] – “Just a Wish on a Falling Star” by Martha Mears & Bob Nolan
• [06:20 – 09:19] – Comedy Banter: Fight Night Stories & Family Jokes
• [09:30 – 12:24] – “Cool Water” by Bob Nolan, Tim Spencer, and Lloyd
• [12:33 – 13:43] – Wartime Story: Bottles as Patriotic Helpers
• [14:32 – 14:52] – Closing Jingle: “Drink Dr. Pepper and you’ll enjoy life more”
• [15:17] – Final Message: Support War Bonds

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Tone & Style

• Warm, playful, and nostalgic: The hosts create a sense of community and comfort, blending songs with comedic relief and topical, uplifting messages relevant to 1940s listeners.
• Patriotic and earnest: Emphasis on doing one’s part for the war effort is presented sincerely, matching the spirit of the era.
• Musically rich: Classic harmonies and ballads ground the episode in the Western and American folk tradition.

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Summary

This episode is a delightful time capsule, blending golden western melodies, lighthearted comedy, and heartfelt calls to civic duty. “10-2-4 Ranch” captures the warmth and camaraderie of the pre-TV age, offering a wholesome piece of Americana where music, laughter, and patriotism converge around the metaphorical campfire of the radio.

Transcript

[Art Gilmore]

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[Martha Mears]

Hello, folks. Welcome to the 1024 Ranch.

[Art Gilmore]

Yes, the 1024 Ranch. Starring your radio and screen favorites, Dick Foran, 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.

[Martha Mears]

And here are the 1024 top hands, the Sons of the Pioneers, to sing for you.

[Bob Nolan]

Take a look at the sky where the whippoorwill drill and the mountain so high where the cataracts fill Take a look at the falls and the rippling r the wanderlust caught of the whispering here the ripper lake rills the cataract spills the whippoorwill frills the rippling rills the cataracts fill the whippoorwill trill the rippling rills the cataracts filled the whippoorwill trails Let me live on the range where the tumbleweeds grow Let the silver sand change where the prairie winds blow Let the wanderers sit where the wanderers go Let the melody ring for he's happy I know the wanderers go the prairie winds blow the tumbleweeds grow the wanderers go the prairie winds blow the tumbleweeds roll the wanderers go the prairie winds blow the tumbleweeds grow Let me follow the trail where the buffalo roam Let a silver cloud sa where the settin sun shone Let the lobo wail in a broken heart home Let a storm let it gale still the prairie's my home A broken heart tones the setting sun shone the buffalo roam A broken heart dome the satisfun shone the buffalo roam the rippling rills the cataract spills the whippoorwill trills the wanderers go the praying flow the tumbleweed throne A broken heart cone the setting sun shone the buffalo blow the prairie.

[Martha Mears]

Fine, boys. Presenting now Art Gilmore. Who knows what it takes to make the good old summertime better. Right, Art?

[Art Gilmore]

Right, Miss Martha. You know, the good old summertime isn't what it's cracked up to be. In fact, with the stifling heat and the drag of fatigue, you're the one who may be cracked up. But you can get relief. Get yourself a frosty cold, nippy tart. Dr. Pepper. Ah, what a satisfying chill. Cold refresher. That tired feeling vanishes. Fatigue A jeebies scram. Yes, Dr. Pepper is your friend. In fatigue, it replaces energy drained by heat because it's a liquid bite to eat. Science says when tired, eat. You can't eat a meal while at work, but you can drink a bite on the job.

[Martha Mears]

Oh, Art, I'm famished now. But Dr. Pepper isn't so easy to find. Why is that?

[Art Gilmore]

Dr. Pepper's popularity continues to boom while supplies are still curtailed. Thus, it may seem unduly scarce, but make a second try before taking a second choice. The extra satisfaction is worth the extra steps. P.S. Dr. Pepper bottles are scarce. Please return empties promptly.

[Martha Mears]

Just a wish on a falling star from the sky up above so far all I did was to say I hope that someday I'd find you and here you are Just a wish on a falling star as it fell from the sky so far Made my life fall anew by just having you My love songs always seem to be so empty now there's harmony in every part Just to think all this happiness Would have never been mine Unless I had taken a wish Just a wish on a falling star Just a wish on.

[Bob Nolan]

A falling star from the sky up.

[Martha Mears]

Above so far all I did was to say I hope someday I find you and here you are Just a.

[Bob Nolan]

On a falling star as it fared.

[Martha Mears]

From the sky so far I had taken a wish Just a wish On a falling star.

[Art Gilmore]

Mighty pretty, Martha.

[Tim Spencer]

Mighty pretty soon.

[Dick Foran]

Yeah, Paul's not bad. Say, Dick, I wish you'd been with Foghorn and me over at Gargle Ghost. Them prize fights last night.

[Art Gilmore]

Well, were they any good?

[Dick Foran]

Why, sure. One fella that was fighting they called Ace n a Hole because he was always face down.

[Art Gilmore]

I get it, I get it. One fella there was a club fighter.

[Dick Foran]

Yeah, but they made him leave the club outside the ring. And what a chief manager that fighter had. Instead of throwing in a towel, he threw in a Kleenex.

[Art Gilmore]

Yeah, just in case he had the blow.

[Dick Foran]

Yeah, Casey had, uh huh. You know, but I like them fights. You know, once my uncle punched Joe Lewis right in the nose.

[Martha Mears]

Oh, now, truthful. There you go again, stretching the truth.

[Dick Foran]

Now, Miss Martha, that's the fascinating truth. So help me, he punched Joe Lewis right in the nose. Not once, but twice.

[Martha Mears]

Well, I'd certainly like to shake his hand.

[Dick Foran]

Gosh, boss, we can't dig him up just for that.

[Tim Spencer]

Ah, very good, amigos, very good.

[Dick Foran]

Say, Dig, did you see Tim Spencer there at the fights with that little redhead?

[Tim Spencer]

Oh, so that's the stray.

[Art Gilmore]

Tim went out to look For?

[Dick Foran]

Pardon me for breaking you up, Senor Dicky, but I also was sitting in the box fights last night.

[Art Gilmore]

Well, Pedro, how did you like the fight?

[Dick Foran]

Oh, no bueno, senor. Why, if my wife and me put on a fight like that around the house, the kids, they would. Well, they'd boo us out of the window.

[Art Gilmore]

Hey, Joe, maybe you could be a fighter. Only you have a wife and four kids to look out for.

[Dick Foran]

Oh, no, senor. Just my wife. The four kids wouldn't hit me.

[Martha Mears]

That's enough of this foolishness, Dick. It's time to hear from the foreman now.

[Art Gilmore]

All right.

[Martha Mears]

And I want to hear your new arrangement of Bob Nolan's famous western song, Cool Water.

[Art Gilmore]

All right. And here are Bob and Tim and Lloyd to sing it with me. The setting is the desert. Burning sand and scorching sun. Heat that brings a tantalizing mirage to an old prospector who fights his way across the wasteland With Dan his old burrough. This is the desert.

[Tim Spencer]

All day I faced a barren waste without the taste of water.

[Bob Nolan]

Cool water.

[Tim Spencer]

Old n and I With throats undry and sore I cry for water.

[Bob Nolan]

Cool, clear water.

[Tim Spencer]

Keep em moving, Dan. Don't you listen to him, Dan He's a devil not a man. And he spreads the burning sand with water. Oh Dan, can't you see that big green tree? The water's running free and it's waiting there for you and me. The nights are cool and I'm a fool each star's a pool of water.

[Bob Nolan]

Cool water.

[Tim Spencer]

But with the dawn I'll wake and yawn and carry on to.

[Bob Nolan]

Water Cool, clear water.

[Tim Spencer]

Keep a moving, Dan. Don't you listen to him, Dan He's a devil not a man. He spreads the burning sand with water. Oh Dan, can you see that big green tree? The water's running free it's waiting there for me and you. Shadows sway they seem to say Tonight we pray for water.

[Bob Nolan]

For water.

[Tim Spencer]

And way up there he'll hear our prayer and show us where there's water.

[Art Gilmore]

Cool, clear.

[Bob Nolan]

Hotel.

[Martha Mears]

Beautiful Dick boy. And now, Art Gilmore in a touching story of how hobos can help the war effort.

[Art Gilmore]

Well now, my story is not about human hobos, but empty bottle hobos. They started out as fine, hard working servants of society, but through public neglect they've become loafers. How sad. In time of war they just got stranded and folks are too busy to see that they get back to useful service. Are you harboring in your garage or pantry an accumulation of empty Dr. Pepper bottles? If so, route them out. Take them back to your store. We'll round them up, wash, scour, scrub and sterilize them till they're as shiny and clean as a hospital spoon and as glistening as your finest table crystals. Then we'll fill them with sparkling delicious Dr. Pepper and send them back to you. Proud and patriotic in doing a wartime job, Dr. Pepper provides a liquid bite to eat for hard pressed workers at war. Dr. Pepper is a food. It helps when you're hungry, thirsty and tired. Help us to keep it coming. It'll help you to keep a going.

[Bob Nolan]

Sam.

[Martha Mears]

Oh, when you want a welcome drink that picks up energy, just ask for Dr. Pepper and you'll sing along with me.

[Bob Nolan]

Drink Dr. Pepper and you'll enjoy life more. Remember, Dr. Pepper time at 10, 2 and 4.

[Art Gilmore]

That's all for now, partners, but we'll be seeing you. 1024 Ranch, starring Dick Fen, Martha Meers and the Sons of the Pioneers, comes to you from Hollywood. Transcribed Musical highlights are especially recorded for our armed forces overseas. 1024 Ranch is produced by Harry Wayne McMahon and this is Art Gilmore wishing you good luck and good going with Dr. Pepper at 10, 2 and 4 o' clock every day.

[Martha Mears]

You've done your bit, now do your best. Buy more war bonds. Bye.

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