Grand Ole Opry 10-04-41

Summary

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Podcast Summary

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Grand Ole Opry 10-04-41
Air Date: October 7, 2025 (original broadcast October 4, 1941)
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Setting: Live from the Grand Ole Opry House, Nashville, Tennessee

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Overview

This episode of "Harold's Old Time Radio" transports listeners to the warmth and camaraderie of an old-fashioned Saturday night at the Grand Ole Opry, as it was heard in 1941. Filled with live music, playful banter, homespun humor, and nostalgic commentary, the show delivers a slice of Americana with folk, bluegrass, and sacred songs—while weaving in stories that celebrate rural traditions like corn husking contests.

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Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Opening and Setting the Scene

[00:01–01:19]

• The show begins with its sponsor, Prince Albert Tobacco, setting a warm, communal scene and inviting everyone to "tune up your five string banjo, take down your fiddle and your bow."
• Judge George Hay (aka "the solemn old judge") welcomes the audience, promising “homespun fun and music," evoking the feel of a community get-together.

2. Musical Performances and Folk Traditions

“Soldier’s Joy” by Roy Acuff & Smoky Mountain Boys

[01:19–03:07]

• A lively fiddle tune, lauded as Alvin York’s favorite, gets the party going with energetic square dance calls and crowd interaction.

“My Old Kentucky Home” by Sassafras Ridge Quartet

[03:07–05:53]

• A heartfelt rendition of Stephen Foster’s classic, blending nostalgia for old America and family unity.
• Judge Hay remarks on the song’s cultural significance:

  "That's one of the most popular of the American folk songs. And that's what we deal in here on the Grand Ole Opry." (05:53)

Discussion: Corn Husking and Rural Games

[05:53–08:24]

• Judge Hay and others reminisce about harvest-time traditions, likening them to the music played:

  “The old time party huskin bee was the daddy of the many corn huskin contests being held in the Corn Belt states at this time of year.” (05:53)

• Charmingly, the hosts transition to a tobacco-rolling joke, with “Brother Oswald” describing his speedy rolling skills:

  “No trick to it now, huh, Oswald? ... I spend out makin smoke in six seconds. But with Prince Albert, though.” (07:30–07:39)

“8th of January” by Paul Wommack and his Gully Jumpers

[08:24–09:57]

• Another quintessential fiddle tune, continuing the historic, rural American theme.

“Maple on the Hill” (Vocal Ballad)

[10:21–12:38]

• A somber, sentimental ballad reflecting on love, nature, and memory.

“Fisher’s Hornpipe” by Mac McGar and Tennessee Mountaineers

[12:38–13:56]

• Quick-paced, cheerful tune, capturing the spirit of rural celebrations.

“O Mona” by Mac Pap and son Odie

[13:56–16:18]

• Playful, humorous folk number with banter between father and son, and call-and-response-style verses.

3. Corn Husking Contest Commentary

[16:22–18:43]

• The hosts continue discussing the complex rules and fairness of modern corn husking competitions, filled with gentle ribbing and folksy wordplay:

  "Huskers are set back for ears left on the stalks. Set back again if they leave ribbons extry husk on the ears. Yes, fellers. They can't have waste and come through with neat trim ends." (17:17)

• This leads into more tongue-in-cheek tobacco endorsements, drawing parallels between rolling cigarettes and cleaning corn:

  “Prince Albert does right by the rules of rolling joy... it's snug and tight as the sheath of a fresh ear of corn.” (18:11)

4. Sacred Song: “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be”

[18:43–24:57]

• Roy Acuff and the Smoky Mountain Boys perform a beloved gospel favorite, with the audience’s clear appreciation leading to a repeated verse.
• Judge Hay comments:

  “We receive many requests for that each week.” (24:57)

5. Community Announcements

[25:13–25:46]

• “Cousin Louie” announces the Grand Ole Opry Army Camp Unit’s plans to visit and play for troops at several military bases, sending well-wishes to soldiers.

6. More Music and Wrap-Up

[25:46–28:40]

• Mac McGar and the Tennessee Mountaineers deliver "Ragtime Annie," a lively instrumental.
• Judge Hay ties the spirit of corn husking contests ("a real American pastime") to the enduring, communal nature of the Opry and its sponsor.
• The final number, “Idy Red,” is performed, bringing the night to a close with light-hearted lyrics and a farewell.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Judge Hay on the Opry’s mission:

  “Your Grand Ole Opry... brings you a friendly homespun evening very much like the old time get togethers of fun and frolic that our great grandparents went in for.” (05:53)

• Judge Hay, on nostalgia:

  "It's not hard to imagine our great grandpappy's digging to these Grand Ole Opry tunes." (16:22)

• On rolling cigarettes with Prince Albert:

  "I roll my Pa making neat trim with a pair of shucking gloves on." – B (17:58)

• On corn husking contests:

  “Often these local contests require a great assortment of officials... starters, score keepers, waymasters, water boys, husker deductors and gleaning's weighers.” (16:22)

• On supporting the troops:

  “We want to send our best wishes to the traveling grand ole opera unit and their audiences, the boys in army camps.” – A (25:40)

• Parting words:

  “Well, friends and neighbors, that winds up another shindig in the old Opry house. We'll have to hang up the fiddle in the bow and go home. But next Saturday night we'll take it down again.” – C (28:40)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:01] – Show opens, sponsor message
• [01:19] – Judge George Hay welcomes listeners
• [02:02] – “Soldier’s Joy” performance
• [03:07] – “My Old Kentucky Home” sung by quartet
• [05:53] – Commentary on folk music & corn husking traditions
• [08:24] – “8th of January” by Gully Jumpers
• [10:21] – “Maple on the Hill”
• [12:38] – “Fisher’s Hornpipe”
• [13:56] – “O Mona” with father-son banter
• [16:22] – Corn husking contest discussion
• [18:43] – “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be”
• [25:13] – Troop entertainment announcement
• [25:46] – “Ragtime Annie”
• [28:21] – “Idy Red” and show close

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Tone, Style, and Experience

The overall tone is warm, inviting, and steeped in tradition, with hosts and performers using folksy language, gentle wit, and playful banter. The show evokes a sense of nostalgia for simpler times, emphasizing togetherness, rural pride, and the enduring power of music.

Listeners are treated not just to a musical variety show, but to a rich slice of Americana—where community storytelling and real-time musical performance are inseparable, and where every song and joke honors the daily lives and dreams of rural Americans in the early 20th century.

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Transcript

[A]

Prince Albert the National Joyous Smoke presents your Grand Ole Opry.

[B]

How the only friends and neighbors join us in our Prince Albert show. Tune up your five string banjo, Take down your fiddle and your bow. Throw back the rug on the floor. Light up your old car pipe. Everyone will have have some fun at the Grand Ole Opry tonight.

[A]

From the stage of the old opera house in Nashville, Tennessee, Prince Albert Smoking Tobacco brings you another big half hour of homespun fun and music. Folks, you can tune into this Prince Albert entertainment by turning to the red network station to which you're listening every Saturday night at this same time. And men, it's easy to get the entertainment of Prince Albert Smoking Joy too. Just turn to the red tin of Prince Albert. Fill your makin's papers and pipes and light up for America's national Joyous smoke. And now the stage is cleared for action. And here's the Opry house chief, His Honor George Hay, the solemn old Judge.

[C]

Cut. And Louie the boy and girl. They're geared up for a rousing big time. And we're ready to set the woods on fire. Greetings to all of our friends and neighbors and welcome to another big Saturday night. Get together in the old opera house. We start the beans to rolling with Roy Acuff and all his Smoky Mountain Boys and little Rachel. And the tune will be Alvin York's favorite soldier's joy. Here we go.

[B]

Rain Mo Swing Paul, swing the gale from Arkansas Swing a high, swing a low Turn her loose cat at the barn, rat in his mouth. Grab your gal and head her south. All around the old grapevine you swing your vows ring mine. Oh, that's fine, Roy. Mighty nice. Yes, sir.

[C]

Now we listen to the quartet from Sassafras Ridge. Ms. Alciona and her trio of boyfriends, Jack, Knapp and D. They're going to sing one of Stephen Foster's most popular compositions, My Old Kentucky Home. Here we go.

[B]

The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home Tis summer, the dark is our gay the corn tops rise and the meadows in the bloom While the birds make music all the time Weep no more my lady.

[C]

O weep no.

[B]

More Today we will sing one song for my old Kentucky home For my old Kentucky home Far away the young folks roll on the little cabin floor all merry, all happy and bright by and by hard times come a knockin at the door Then my old Kentucky home. Good night. Weep no more my lady O weep no more Today we will sing one song for my old Kentucky home For.

[C]

My old Kentucky home.

[B]

Far, long way.

[C]

Mighty Fine, children, you know that's one of the most popular of the American folk songs. And that's what we deal in here on the Grand Ole Opry. Your Grand Ole Opry, presented over these red network stations by Prince Albert, brings you a friendly homespun evening very much like the old time get togethers of fun and frolic that our great grandparents went in for. You hear fiddle tunes and breakdowns that were actually popular way back in the colonial times of our forefathers. And by the way, popular pastimes of those early days were the games our farmer forefathers made at harvest time. Huskin or shuckin corn, for instance. The old time party huskin bee was the daddy of the many corn huskin contests being held in the Corn Belt states at this time of year. Excuse me, fellows, while I light me a PA smoke, will you? Today, folks, you see farm boys doing some speedy husking at the county contest.

[A]

Yes, sir. Judge Roy Acuff and myself saw him. Those farmers hands working mighty fast too. You can hardly say Jack Robinson for those boys got an ear of corn out of a sheath of husk and tossed into the wagon box.

[C]

Louie, don't you figure those champion corn huskers have a secret trick in their handiwork of ripping out ears so fast?

[B]

Hold on there.

[C]

Hold on there, brother Oswald. Why that robust snicker.

[B]

I was just thinking, Judge. I used to figure there was a secret to rolling.

[C]

Making smokes too.

[A]

No trick to it now, huh, Oswald?

[C]

No, sir. I spend out makin smoke in six seconds. But with Prince Albert, though.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yes, Oswald. Prince Albert's crimp cut tobacco helps make an expert roll your owner out of any making smoker.

[C]

My PA roll smokes sure are winners for rich taste too, Louie.

[A]

Yes, sir. Lots of listeners figure the way. You do too, Roy. You've been talking directly to a heap of happy Prince Albert smokers tuned in on these red network stations. And in case any of you men listening would like to get down to fast easy rolling too. Just remember, Prince Albert, when you buy tobacco, look for the red tin with the letters P R I N C E A L, B E, R, T. And you'll get the national joy smoke.

[C]

That brings us to the first milepost on the turnpike. And it's time to throw the wagon into high gear and go on down the creek. More breakdown is coming up from the kitchen now. It's an old timer called the 8th of January and it will be passed around by Paul Wommack and his gully jumpers. All right, Boys.

[B]

All right, boys. Okay. Big time with the Prince Haret.

[C]

Grand Ole Opry. Everybody's having a lot of fun. High Sheriff Ford Rush reports that all is hunky dory throughout the county. And that's right and proper. Sheriff, the stage is yours. And we've got your bill to sing that fine old number called Maple on the Hill.

[B]

Near a quiet country village Stood a maple on a hill Grown from a little seed of long ago when the stars were shining brightly we could hear the whip Poor Will. When we sat beneath the maple on the hill don't forget me, little darling when they lay me down to die Just one little wish, my darling, that I crave as you linger there in sadness you are thinking of a friend Let your teardrops hit the flowers on my grave we will sing a song together when the birds have gone to rest we will listen to the mumble of the wind Will you love me, little darling as you did that starry night when we sat beneath a maple on the hill? I will soon be with the angels on the bright and happy shore Even now I hear them coming o' er the hill don't you cry, my little darling it is time for us to part I must leave you and the maple on the hill.

[C]

Oh, that's pretty, Kevin. Sure is mighty pretty. Our next tune is the one the boys played the night Uncle Joe hooked a big catfish at the mouth of Cane Creek. They call it Fish's Hornpipe, and it'll be played by Mac McGar and his Tennessee Mountaineers.

[B]

Up and at em, boys. It's all right.

[C]

Mac Pap and his son Odie are at the wood pile to saw a few backlogs for Mr. Prince Albert. Winter's coming and we've got to have something for the fireplace. While the boys warm up, they're going to run off a few verses of O Mona. Papa, sit down.

[B]

Monkey setting on a railroad track O Mona, taking his teeth with a carpet tank O Mona, teeth so hard with a hoop and call O Mona sees his hand and stay right off O Mona. O Mona, you shall be free Lord Lodi, Mona, you shall be free Hallelujah. When the good Lord sets you free all right, on it. Let's go.

[C]

That's my boy.

[B]

I was going down the road Homeowner four rocking with a heavy load O Mona, crack my hip Three doors. Come, Omona, see horse, busted wagon. Come, Omona. Omona, you shall be free. Mona, you shall be free. Hallelujah. When the good Lord sets you free all right. Down in the wildwood sitting along O Mona, finger on the trigger and a hog O Mona, pull that trigger and.

[C]

The gun says yep.

[B]

O Mona, jump down that hole with all my grip O Mona, O Mona, you sell me real old lonely Mona, you shall be free Hallelujah when the good Lord set you free. Okay, boy, that's happen. Only.

[C]

Had a little fun on the.

[B]

Prince Albert Grand Ole Opry.

[C]

Well, friends, it's not hard to imagine our great grandpappy's digging to these Grand Ole Opry tunes. As brought to you tonight by the Prince Albert Smoking Tobacco people. It's a big jump, however, from the simple corn husking bees of our forefathers to the great national Corn Husking championship held every year. Our farm boys are now advancing to the finals through state and county eliminations. Often these local contests require a great assortment of officials. There may be starters, score keepers, waymasters, water boys, husker deductors and gleaning's weighers. Besides other judges and referees. Corn husking contests really are something to see. Roy Acuff and friend Louie here will add a word on that. They've seen them.

[A]

Yes, judge. It takes a parcel of officials to keep track of the corn husking rules these days, don't it, Roy?

[C]

Why nowadays the huskers are set back for ears left on the stalks. Set back again if they leave ribbons extry husk on the ears. Yes, fellers. They can't have waste and come through with neat trim ends. Hey, judge, that listen like the way.

[B]

My roll your own spins up with Prince Albert.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

My gosh, Judge, Brother Oswald is right. There's no waste rolling your own with Prince Albert crimp cut no ribbons or stringing out.

[C]

They sure spin out with neat trim ends. My PA smokes do mine too, Roy. And no backtracking to re roll em or twist up ends. It's plumb easy with Pa. Shucks, fellers.

[B]

Yeah, I roll my Pa making neat trim with a pair of shucking gloves on. Yeah.

[A]

You'Re right, fellas. Prince Albert does right by the rules of rolling joy. Why, men, you'll find Pa makin smokes do up as snug and tight as the sheath of a fresh ear of corn. Pa's crimp cut sure is the champ for easy trim rolling. No extra shaping, no twisting up the ends. Pennsylvania doesn't dribble out the ends and there's no leavings. No wonder smokers say they get 70 smokes to the handy pocket 10 of Prince Albert. Get yourself a red 10 of PA and roll your own. Easy as you tune in this Red.

[C]

Network friends and neighbors, this is the Prince Albert Grand Ole Opry coming to you from the stage of the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee. Yes, sir and yes, ma'. Am. The Opry House is a real honest to goodness meeting place where we get together every Saturday night for an old time neighborhood hoedown. Come round, see us. Be mighty happy to have you have big time with all the folks. Roy Acuff takes the stage to bring us a fine old sacred number. One that is loved by everybody from coast to coast. How beautiful heaven must be.

[B]

We read of a place that's called Hell it's made for the pure and the free these truths in God's word he hath given how beautiful heaven must be.

[C]

How.

[B]

Beautiful heaven must be Sweet home of the happy and free Fair haven of rest for the weary how beautiful heaven must be in heaven O drooping are pining no wishing Far elsewhere to be God's light is forever there shining how beautiful heaven must be how beautiful heaven must be Sweet home of the happy and free Fair haven of rest for the weary how beautiful Health must be Pure waters of life there are flowing and all who will drink may be.

[C]

Free.

[B]

Rare jewels of splendor are glowing how beautiful heaven must be how beautiful heaven must be Sweet home of the happy and free Fair haven of rest for the weary how beautiful heaven must.

[C]

Be.

[B]

The angels so sweetly are singing up there by the beautiful sea Sweet chords from their gold harps are raining how beautiful heaven must be how beautiful heaven must be Sweet home of happiness.

[C]

Free.

[B]

Faith in our weary how beautiful heaven must be.

[C]

Beautiful sunrise Beautiful song. That's Roy Acuff, leader of the Smoky Mountain Boys. Better have another verse, please, Roy.

[B]

We read of a place that's called Heaven it's made for the pure and the free these truths in God's word he hath given how beautiful heaven must.

[C]

Be.

[B]

How beautiful heaven must be Sweet home of the happy and free Fair haven of rest for the weary how beautiful heaven must be.

[C]

Thank you, Roy Acuff and all the Smoky Mountain Boys for that wonderful sacred number. We receive many requests for that each week. And now Cotton Louis Buck has a special announcement for us. Come on in, Louie, will you please?

[A]

The camel caravan is on the march. The Grand Ole Opry army camp unit rolls into Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia on Monday to give open air performances for the army men. On Tuesday, all six units, cars, trailer and portable stage arrive at Bowman Field, Kentucky. On Wednesday, they head for Fort Thomas, Kentucky and then they arrive at Fort Hays, Ohio on Thursday. We want to send our best wishes to the traveling grand ole opera unit and their audiences, the boys in army camps.

[C]

Thank you, Cousin Louie. And we hope the boys in the army camps heard that applause for them. And we're all for you, boys, every single one of us. Mac McGar and the boys Tennessee Mountaineers have a short breakdown here called Ragtime Annie. All right, Max.

[B]

It. All right, boys.

[C]

All right.

[B]

Now.

[C]

Even a county corn husking contest often causes great hubbub, folks, especially the noise of the crowds. But besides, you'll hear the steady bang, bang, bang, bang as the shucked ears are tossed against the backboards of the box wagons. You'll hear the chattering crackle of twisted cornstalks and the excited talking of surging crowds. For our corn shucking contests are a real American pastime that springs from our own soil. Just as typically American, in fact, as rolling up a national joy smoke, which I'm about to do right now.

[A]

A lot of the men, folks who watch those corn huskings think so too, Judge. Judging from the popularity of all the red, Prince Albert tends to be seen at corn husking contests.

[C]

Not only in special gatherings, Louis, but everywhere our Grand Ole Opry show is heard. Prince Albert is popularly known as the National Joy Smoke.

[A]

Yes, Roy, Prince Albert means smoking joy for making smokers and pipe fans far and wide too Pa is crimp cut to draw slow and even has the bite removed. Gives a man economy and smoking joy. By the corn crib full men enjoy a red tin of Prince Albert before next week's program over these same red network stations. And you'll know firsthand why Prince Albert is America's national Joy smoke.

[C]

Roy, it's time to head for the barn. Let's go, please. Idy Red she ain't no fool Big.

[B]

As the elephant scout as a mule Idy Red Id Red I'm in love with Idy Red I red eyed Red I'm in love with Idy Red.

[C]

Well, friends and neighbors, that winds up another shindig in the old Opry house. We'll have to hang up the fiddle.

[B]

In the bow and go home.

[C]

But next Saturday night we'll take it down again. And we hope all of you will be back for the fun and music. This is George Hay, the solemn old judge, saying good night for all the Opry house folks and wishing you lots of pleasant weather and fine fall eating. Till we meet again. And don't forget that whether you or at work or play there's nothing like the taste of mild pa.

[B]

So long.

[A]

And, friends, as a solemn old judge says, good night. May we invite you to join us again in the Opry House at this same time next week for another half hour of music, fun and song. And all during the week for your smoking enjoyment. It's Prince Albert, a national joy.

[C]

Smoke? This is the National Broadcasting Company.