An Irish Story 19xx.xx.xx Three Magic Words

Summary

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Podcast Summary

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: An Irish Story – "Three Magic Words"
Date: September 19, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

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Overview

This episode presents a dramatized Irish folktale, imbued with themes of love, family, longing, and the magical threads that bind generations. Blending mystery with romance, the story follows Kathleen—a young Irish-American woman—on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day as she faces a life-changing decision. Dream, memory, and folklore intertwine when Kathleen receives guidance in the form of a magical, ancestral tale that reveals the mystical "three magic words" believed to unite true lovers forever.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Structure

Setting the Scene: Home & Heart (00:45-03:35)

• Kathleen’s Dilemma:
  • Kathleen returns home from an evening with her suitor, Tommy. Her father senses she is troubled.
  • She reveals that Tommy has proposed but feels uncertain about her love and fears leaving her father.
  • The father reassures her, cherishes their bond, but encourages her to pursue her own happiness.
  • Quote:
    • "You'll be answering that for yourself. If it's love you have for Tammy, Tis known." — Irish Storyteller [03:29]

Interlude: Dreams & Ancestral Visit (04:17-05:56)

• Magical Encounter:
  • As Kathleen sleeps, she is visited in a dream by Ellen, an Irish woman from the past. Ellen’s tale mirrors Kathleen’s own uncertainty and longing.
  • Ellen describes her love for Dan and the hardship of separation when Dan immigrates to America.

The Tale Within the Tale: Ellen’s Journey (05:56-09:42)

• The Wishing Well and Three Magic Words:
  • Ellen tells of scooping earth from the wishing well in Ireland, making a heartfelt wish, and hearing a mystical message:
    • Quote:
      • "Here now, three magic words. Guard them as you do new love… Speak them then, and you will be together ever after, never to be apart again." — Ellen [06:07]
  • Ellen’s journey takes her to New York, where she searches tirelessly for Dan, her lost love, among the construction sites of the city.

Reunion & The Power of Love (09:42-10:43)

• Ellen Finds Dan:
  • After much searching, Ellen finds Dan at a dangerous worksite. The joy of reunion is underscored by her use of the three magic words ("Monome parno prima tae"), symbolizing that their love will endure forever.
  • Quote:
    • "Take it in your hand, darling. There. And put your arm around me now. Tight." — Ellen [10:00]
    • "Three magic words, my darling, and it’s together we are, never to be apart again." — Kathleen (as Ellen) [10:24]

Waking to a Mystical Reality (10:45-13:27)

• Kathleen’s Awakening:
  • Kathleen wakes, startled, and soon after, Tommy arrives. They both reveal strange dreams and encounters involving the same mysterious words and people—Ellen and Dan.
  • Tommy reveals that an older woman named Ellen imparted the magic words to him after their chance meeting at a lunch counter.
  • Quote:
    • "She told me those queer words and said to hold you in my arms and say them the next time I saw you." — Tommy [12:16]
• Mystical Proof:
  • Kathleen discovers a physical sign—the earth from her dream appears in her room but disappears after the magic words are spoken.
  • The magical events convince Kathleen of her love for Tommy, and she finally accepts his proposal.
  • Quote:
    • "Those are the three magic words, Kathleen." — Tommy [13:41]

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Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:29 | Irish Storyteller | "You'll be answering that for yourself. If it's love you have for Tammy, Tis known." | | 06:07 | Ellen | "Here now, three magic words. Guard them as you do new love… Speak them then, and you will be together ever after, never to be apart again." | | 10:24 | Kathleen (as Ellen) | "Three magic words, my darling, and it’s together we are, never to be apart again." | | 12:16 | Tommy | "She told me those queer words and said to hold you in my arms and say them the next time I saw you." | | 13:41 | Tommy | "Those are the three magic words, Kathleen." |

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Structure & Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:45 – 03:35 | Kathleen’s relationship fears and fatherly advice
• 04:17 – 09:42 | Ellen’s dream visitation and journey for love
• 09:42 – 10:43 | Ellen and Dan’s magical reunion
• 10:45 – 13:27 | The waking parable—Kathleen and Tommy embrace their future

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Tone & Style

The episode weaves Irish storytelling tradition with the gentle cadence and warmth of familial and romantic love. The dialogue is affectionate, poetic, and tinged with the lilting accents and idioms of rural Ireland.

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Takeaway

"Three Magic Words" is a heartwarming, mystical tale from the Golden Age of Radio that celebrates Irish storytelling, the endurance of love across time and continents, and the comforting presence of magic in everyday life. Through dream, memory, and magical intervention, Kathleen comes to recognize the authenticity of her love—and, with Tommy, steps into her own happily ever after.

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Transcript

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[Irish Storyteller]

Three magic words, love of romance and. And the gift of storytelling are birthright to the Irish race. We present a man with a tale to tell, a man we know only as an Irishman.

[Irish Father]

And it's a good grating I'm bringing to each of you. Phaethon, I have a story for you now the like of which I've never told before. Three magic worths tis called. I wouldn't be asking of you if you believe there's magic or there's not. And in truth, I wouldn't be caring. Tis the story you want. And there was magic in its making. Though I wouldn't want to be saying how or where. I'll be saying to you first. There was a girl called Kathleen, as pretty and sweet a colleen as you could ever find. I'd be telling you, too. Kathleen was an American girl for all her Irish blood, talking without a brogue. And she and her father were living and working in the city called New York. Just one year gone by tonight. This tale I'm telling had a beginning when Kathleen said good night to her young man at the door and came into the living room where her father was finishing up the evening paper.

[Irish Storyteller]

Tis just 11 by the clock. Kathleen.

[Kathleen]

Yes, Father.

[Irish Storyteller]

It's early. You are home this evening?

[Kathleen]

Yes, Father.

[Irish Storyteller]

In one hour to St Patrick's Day.

[Kathleen]

In an hour? Yes.

[Irish Storyteller]

Kathleen. Come here, darling. Is it quarreling with Tommy?

[Kathleen]

You've been quarreling with Tommy? I should say not.

[Irish Storyteller]

Then what's troubling of your child?

[Kathleen]

There's no trouble, Father. I'm happy indeed.

[Irish Storyteller]

And it's happy you are, Kathleen. Tis Father and mither. I've been here these years since Molly died. And Tis the truth of things. We spake.

[Kathleen]

Father.

[Irish Storyteller]

Yes, child.

[Kathleen]

We've been together all this time, just you and I. We've been happy, haven't we?

[Irish Storyteller]

That is a fine daughter you've been to, being close to me.

[Kathleen]

Hart, dummy. Tommy asked me to marry him tonight.

[Irish Storyteller]

Tis a fine lad he is.

[Kathleen]

Would you want me to leave you now?

[Irish Storyteller]

Yours is another life, Kathleen.

[Construction Worker]

And one of These days you'll have to be living a bit.

[Irish Storyteller]

Would you be loving Tommy, child?

[Kathleen]

I think so.

[Irish Storyteller]

You think so now?

[Construction Worker]

That's it, Father.

[Kathleen]

I don't know. I'm not sure. When I'm with him, I know I love him. And then when I'm home again, I'm afraid.

[Irish Storyteller]

And what were you telling Tommy?

[Kathleen]

Well, I said good night. And that I give him an answer tomorrow. Oh, Father, what shall I do?

[Irish Storyteller]

This is after being your home, Kathleen. And you're welcome here forever as wife to Tammy lass. Tis a home of your own you'll be having.

[Construction Worker]

When a woman marries of a man.

[Irish Storyteller]

She has to be a family instead of just a part of one. Think of but one thing, Kathleen.

[Tommy]

Do you love the lad?

[Kathleen]

How will I know, Father?

[Irish Storyteller]

You'll be answering that for yourself. If it's love you have for Tammy. Tis known.

[Tommy]

It will be sure.

[Irish Storyteller]

And there'll be a sign. A sign your mother was known and her mother too. Twas by a sign she said. You're very like your mother was. And you'll be known too.

[Kathleen]

You loved mother very much, didn't you, Father?

[Irish Storyteller]

I must tell Robinal. Kathleen.

[Kathleen]

Good night, Father.

[Irish Storyteller]

Sleep well, Kathleen. And the father's love be guiding you as it can. Oh, Mary, darling, wherever you are, our child is needing help. Good night.

[Kathleen]

Kathleen.

[Ellen]

Kathleen. Kathleen.

[Kathleen]

Yes? Do not be turned on of the light.

[Ellen]

Kathleen.

[Kathleen]

Who is it? I can't see you.

[Ellen]

You can be hearing of my voice.

[Kathleen]

God, I'm dreaming.

[Construction Worker]

Yes.

[Kathleen]

Yes, that's it. Dreaming.

[Ellen]

Tis asleep you are, but not dreaming. Ellen is what I'm called. Kathleen.

[Kathleen]

There's a message. I bring a message. A sign, perhaps if you listen close.

[Ellen]

And it's true love you're having in your heart.

[Kathleen]

I'm listening, Ellen. I was a girl like you, Kathleen. A girl in love back in Ireland with an Irish lad. Tis poor we were. And to America went my dad. To America he went to make his fortune there. Tis lonely I was when you was.

[Ellen]

Gone, for I loved him over much. And every day I went to the.

[Kathleen]

Wishing well to pray we might soon be together again. And then one day, as I'd been told to do, I scooped a bit of earth in my hand and placed.

[Ellen]

It by the well.

[Kathleen]

I made a wish and waited for the longest while. There was no sound. Then as I watched, the bit of earth moved and I heard a voice.

[Ellen]

Ellie.

[Kathleen]

Yes, I hear.

[Ellen]

Go to America, Ellie.

[Kathleen]

Go to America.

[Ellen]

Go to America, Ellen. Fear not, but go.

[Kathleen]

Tell me mission well, tell me lovely still Is it happiness we'll have Hear.

[Ellen]

Now three magic words. Guard them as you do no love. Speak them as I tell them. When you are together with a man you love, they will not work. O1, O Lord, keep them when you read me and happiness will power you for forever. Speak them then, and you will be together ever after, never to be apart again.

[Kathleen]

Three magic words.

[Ellen]

Three magic words. Mona magic power Trimactive Mona day an.

[Kathleen]

Attainment. And as I spoke the magic words the bit of earth vanished from by the wishing well. Did you come to America, Ellen Indade? I did. Poor that I was. It took time and twas nearly a year Dan had been away before I set foot in New York, where he was. I went first to the last address he sent me and spoke with a lady where he boarded.

[Construction Worker]

He ain't here no more, miss, Though fine lad he was. Not for two months now, since they took his things away when he went to the hospital. The hospital?

[Kathleen]

Sure.

[Construction Worker]

And didn't you know? Was working with a construction gang. He was with Glaston and all of that. And one day he didn't get off in time.

[Kathleen]

Was he hurt bad, do you know?

[Construction Worker]

Not him. Tis as good as New Year's now. And working somewhere flatten again and risking his neck all over again.

[Kathleen]

With a construction gang, did you say?

[Construction Worker]

Sure. Just one big building after another in New York.

[Kathleen]

And so it was that I started looking at all the buildings and asking if he was and no one knew where he was. Never a sword I could find. From early morning on I walked the street, pryin each building place I saw. Somehow I knew I'd find him working and building at the biggest ones of all. And then one day as I was walking and looking and asking everyone.

[Irish Father]

Get back with you.

[Kathleen]

Oh, she's a fresh blend of Irishmen they have in New York.

[Irish Father]

Ah, you have to get back, miss. Don't be going any further on.

[Kathleen]

Tis a fine man ye are to.

[Construction Worker]

Be speaking to a girl so rough Bones.

[Irish Father]

Is an Irish girl you are now.

[Kathleen]

Straight from Ireland with no time for the likes of you.

[Irish Father]

Oh, tis no offence. I've ment as cares. He is me name. Tis blessed in the ark with danger. Aye. Roll up the insides of the earth to get a few feet deeper down. Come back now so it's safe you'll be.

[Kathleen]

Is it so bad as that?

[Irish Father]

Oh, with a bit of care to say he done. But we lost a man ourselves yesterday. There's a new man in his place today.

[Kathleen]

Perhaps you'd be helping a girl now.

[Irish Father]

Helping, is it? What help could Casey be to a pretty lass?

[Kathleen]

There's his walking and asking. I've been these two weeks now. I'd lookin for him here now.

[Irish Father]

Here. What's the matter?

[Kathleen]

That man.

[Construction Worker]

Tis him. Tis Dan. Oh.

[Irish Father]

Tis the new man with the blasting proof.

[Construction Worker]

Hey, come back, lass. Come back here. Tis blasting that door. Don't go, miss. Come back. Come back.

[Kathleen]

Ah. It is him. I found him. Dan. Dan.

[Construction Worker]

Go back here. Go back quick.

[Kathleen]

Oh, Dan.

[Construction Worker]

Tis Ellen.

[Kathleen]

Dan. Ellen.

[Construction Worker]

Ellen. Oh, Ellen. Dan. What would you be doing here?

[Kathleen]

Oh, Dan, it tis together we'll be forever now.

[Irish Father]

Oh, it is good to have the.

[Tommy]

Fear of you again.

[Kathleen]

Oh, and I've something else for you, Dan. From Ireland too. To worship a bit of earth from the wishing well. Art is magical. Take it in your hand, darling. There. And put your arm around me now. Tight.

[Irish Father]

Oh, it is easy doing for me.

[Tommy]

That'S missed the likes of you.

[Irish Storyteller]

So long.

[Kathleen]

Oh.

[Construction Worker]

Tis strong you are.

[Kathleen]

Monome parno prima tae.

[Tommy]

What's that you're saying?

[Kathleen]

Three magic words, my darling, and it's together. We are never to be apart again.

[Construction Worker]

Ellen. I've been mad. Run, darling, run. Just flashing me a. Run, Ellen, and run.

[Kathleen]

Oh, Ellen, run.

[Construction Worker]

Kathleen.

[Irish Storyteller]

Kathleen.

[Kathleen]

Oh. Oh. Is that you, Father?

[Irish Storyteller]

And who else would it be at this hour of the night?

[Kathleen]

I'm. I'm sorry. I was dreaming, I guess. Oh, Tommy. I've waited all day for you to come. It's been so long.

[Tommy]

I came as soon as I left work. Kathleen. That's a mighty good sign if you miss me. Got my answer for me?

[Kathleen]

I think so, Tommy. But I want to talk a while first.

[Tommy]

Kathleen.

[Kathleen]

Yes?

[Tommy]

I have something very special to ask you. A very special reason. I want to kiss you right now, Tommy.

[Kathleen]

If you wish. Oh.

[Tommy]

Mona May Parno. Private.

[Kathleen]

Tommy. Tommy, where did you hear those words?

[Tommy]

Do you know what they mean?

[Kathleen]

Where did you hear them?

[Tommy]

The funniest thing. I never heard them.

[Kathleen]

They just came to.

[Tommy]

No, I never heard them before last night. I took a walk last night after I left you, and then stopped at a lunch counter for a bite to eat.

[Kathleen]

Go on, Tommy. Go on.

[Tommy]

Well, there was a man and his wife eating there too. And all of a sudden she turned to me and said, young man, are you in love? Nearly floored me, but I said yes. She told me those queer words and said to hold you in my arms and say them the next time I saw you. But we talked for a long time. He's construction boss for some building company. A lot of experiences. In a nasty accident once and.

[Kathleen]

Look, Tommy, did you hear her name?

[Tommy]

Her name Oh, I remember. Her name was Ellen.

[Kathleen]

Oh, I'm glad. I'm glad.

[Tommy]

Kathleen. Guess what it's all about. Mystery words, names and all.

[Kathleen]

They're alive.

[Construction Worker]

Alive?

[Tommy]

Of course they are.

[Kathleen]

And happy.

[Tommy]

I hope we'll be as happy.

[Kathleen]

Come here, Tommy. I want to show you something. I had a strange dream last night. It must have been about the same time you were talking with Ellen and Dan.

[Tommy]

How do you know his name was Dan?

[Kathleen]

Oh, never mind. It was all a dream. But Tommy.

[Tommy]

Yes?

[Kathleen]

When I woke up, there was a bit of earth on the bed.

[Tommy]

Earth?

[Kathleen]

I put it in this box to keep it. See?

[Tommy]

Oh, there's nothing in there.

[Kathleen]

Why? It's gone. You spoke the words.

[Construction Worker]

That's what Ellen said.

[Kathleen]

When you spoke the magic words, the bit of earth vanished.

[Tommy]

Kathleen. It's all beyond me. This talk of dreams and earth and people in lunch wagons. I came here for something else. Something very dear to me. Have you my answer, Kathleen?

[Kathleen]

Yes, Tommy. I know now. We'll be together always. I love you.

[Tommy]

Oh, darling. Say that just once more for me.

[Kathleen]

I love you.

[Tommy]

I love you. Those are the three magic words, Kathleen.

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