Pinto Pete And His Ranch Boys - 047 - First Song-The Railroad Crossing

Summary

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Pinto Pete And His Ranch Boys - Episode 047

First Song: The Railroad Crossing
Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Original air date: August 18, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode transports listeners back to the days when families gathered around the radio for songs, stories, and camaraderie. Set against the backdrop of a western night camp, Pinto Pete and his Ranch Boys invite you to share in cowboy melodies, gentle banter, and reflections on love, home, and the open trail. The episode weaves nostalgic songs with friendly dialogue, capturing the warmth and charm of Old Time Radio.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: On the Western Trail

• Atmospheric Introduction (01:37–02:32):
  The narrator (B) paints a vivid picture of riding the western trails at dusk, emphasizing the ruggedness and the reassuring presence of a loyal pony. Listeners are invited to the night camp of Pinto Pete and his Ranch Boys for songs and fellowship.
  • Quote:
    “As rough and rugged as when the pioneers first cut the path through the virgin timber, the night creeps softly in and before you can grasp its significance, has wrapped a mantle of darkness round about you...” — B (01:37)

2. Song #1: "The Railroad Crossing"

• Introduction & Storytelling (02:32–03:07):
  The cast greets the Randall sisters and their boss, then prepares to sing about a young man who leaves his sweetheart.
• Performance (03:07–04:49):
  The song tells the tale of a young cowboy who travels across the country but, upon returning, discovers his sweetheart has married another. He reflects on his missteps and offers a lesson:
  • Quote:
    “I learned a lesson and I tell it to you. Never leave your G.” — A (04:46)
• Lighthearted Reflection (04:49–05:06):
  The group teases each other about romance, leading into the next song.

3. Song #2: "When It’s Lamplighting Time in the Valley"

• Emotional Performance (05:13–06:47):
  A tender ballad about a mother waiting for her son. The longing for home and the comfort of a mother’s prayers are central themes.
  • Quote:
    “There’s a lamp shining bright in the cabin in the window, it’s shining for me. And I know that my mother is praying for the boy she is longing to see.” — C (05:13)
• Reactions & Banter (06:50–07:10):
  The song softens even the most skeptical cowboy, prompting jokes about falling for a gal who can sing.

4. Instrumental Interlude

• Shorty’s Performance (07:10–08:14):
  The group urges Shorty to play his heart out, providing a brief but heartfelt musical interlude.

5. Song #3: "Let the Rest of the World Go By"

• Contentment & Escapism (08:16–09:39):
  Reflecting on the quiet joy of retreating to a peaceful, loving homestead, the Ranch Boys sing about finding happiness away from the world’s cares.
  • Quote:
    “I’d like to leave it all behind and don’t mind some place that’s long to God alone. Just a spot to call our own... we’ll build a sweet little nest somewhere in the west and let the rest of the world go by.” — B/A (08:55)

6. Song #4: "Little Green Valley"

• Longing for Home (10:13–12:47):
  Another nostalgic ballad, focused on homesickness and the dream of returning to a beloved valley. The song is filled with heartfelt yearning and vivid rural imagery:
  • Quote:
    “I see a candlelight down in the little green valley where morning glory vines are twining round the door... oh how I wish I were there tonight down in the little green valley and then my homesick heart would trouble me no more.” — A (10:13)
  • The repetition of the plea to “take me back to that little old green valley far away” underscores the deep connection to home.

7. Farewell to Listeners

• Reassurance & Invitation (12:47–13:13):
  With a gentle send-off, the host reminds everyone that their loyal ponies will lead them home and encourages listeners to return.
  • Quote:
    “Now, neighbors, you’ve got nothing to fear. Just let your ponies go their way and they’ll have you back to your ranch in no time. And please wander out this way again, won’t you? So long.” — B (12:47)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On cowboy wisdom:
  “Now you boys ought to take that for a lesson. Don’t do what that young man did. How’d you like to have a home?” — C (04:49)
• Playful Banter:
  “No. Shuck somebody. You can’t do nothing with a woman. Hanging around.” — A as Curly (05:00)
• On the power of song:
  “I knew he couldn’t stand it. If some gal wanted to marry him, all she’d have to do would be to sing to him or something.” — A (06:52)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:37 — Scenic introduction to the trail and cowboy camp
• 03:07 — “The Railroad Crossing” song and story
• 05:13 — “Lamplighting Time in the Valley” ballad
• 07:10 — Instrumental interlude by Shorty
• 08:16 — “Let the Rest of the World Go By” wistful song
• 10:13 — “Little Green Valley” homesick cowboy ballad
• 12:47 — Warm farewell and invitation to return

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Episode Tone

The episode maintains a homespun, gentle, and humorous tone throughout, mixing heartfelt songs with affectionate ribbing among the cowboys, and portraying the enduring values of home, love, and friendship on the range. It’s a nostalgic, musical journey for fans of Westerns and classic radio.

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Transcript

[A]

Sam. Alex. Sam.

[B]

Immersed in the beauty all about you as you ride along the western trail. As rough and rugged as when the pioneers first cut the path through the virgin timber, the night creeps softly in and before you can grasp its significance, has wrapped a mantle of darkness round about you and all but blotted out the trail. Fortunate are you who have selected a sure footed, stout hearted little pony who will take you safely through if you'll just give her a head and let her go. Instinct and her keen sense of smell tells her that friends are near. Why, of course. It's the night camp of Pindo Pete and his ranch boys. And you're always welcome there.

[A]

Roll on, little doggies. Roll. Hey, fellers, there comes the Randall sisters. And the boss. Hello there, boys. How are you? How are you? You know, we was just about to sing a song about a feller that went away and left his gal.

[B]

Well, go right ahead, Jack. The girls and myself have had a long ride and we're pretty hungry, so we'll eat while you sing.

[A]

All right. Here.

[B]

Go.

[A]

Standing by the railroad crossing Waitin for a westbound train I got to thinking of the things I had done and it filled my heart with pain Got to thinking bout my honey Back in old Chicago town Then I decided I was starting back home before the evening.

[C]

Sun went down yo, today he will leave.

[A]

I rode the T and P to Dallas Caught the Katy Flyer there. Pulled into Kansas City riding the rods never paid a nickel fare. Got myself a midnight mail train running on the Santa Fe Got in Chicago on a Saturday night as happy as a man could be. Old lady, Eddie. Old lady. I hurried out to see my honey and this is what you had to say. I got tired of waiting so I married a man who said he'd never go away. Ain't no use to stand there grieving. You're just about a year too late. I never stopped to even tell her goodbye but called myself a red ball prey yo Delete. Rode the break to Kansas City Complicated number four. Got into Dallas Took the P and B line Back to where I was before Now I'm at the same old crossing Cause my baby done me wrong I learned a lesson and I tell it to you. Never leave your G.

[C]

Now you boys ought to take that for a lesson. Don't do what that young man did. How'd you like to have a home.

[A]

In a Mrs. Oh, gee, Bonnie boy, that sure be something. I wish I had one, don't you, Curly? No. Shuck somebody. You can't do nothing with a woman. Hanging around.

[C]

Well, Curly, just wait till we sing you this song. Then you'll change your mind.

[A]

Well, go ahead.

[C]

There's a lamp shining bright In a cabin in the window it's shining for.

[A]

Me.

[C]

And I know that my mother Is praying For the boy she is.

[A]

Longing to see.

[C]

When it's lamplight and time in the valley Then in dreams I go back to my home I can see that old lamp in the.

[A]

Window.

[C]

It will guide me wherever I.

[A]

Roam.

[C]

In the lamps light each night I can see her as she rocks in her chair to and fro.

[A]

So.

[C]

She prays that I'll come back to see her Till I know that I never can go. When it's lamp lighting time in the valley Then in dreams I go back to my home what I've seen gets my home and my loved one. And now I'm a devil.

[A]

More Rome.

[B]

Oh, boy.

[A]

Well, how do you feel about it now, Curly? Huh? That's a little bit different. Yeah, I. I knew he couldn't stand it. If some gal wanted to marry him, all she'd have to do would be to sing to him or something. Hush your big mouth, Jack, and let Shorty here play on his heart.

[B]

Yeah, that's a good idea, Curly. Hush up, Jack, so we can hear it.

[A]

Let her go, Short Sam.

[B]

That sure was nice.

[A]

Oh, my.

[B]

I think I got about as fine a bunch of cowpokes as there is in the country. And I'm willing to just sit and listen to them sing and play and let the rest of the world go by with someone like you. A pair good and true I'd like.

[A]

To leave it all behind and don't.

[B]

Mind some place that's long to God alone Just a spot to call Alone we'll find perfect peace where joys never cease out there beneath a kindly skies we'll build a sweet little nest Somewhere in the west and let the rest of the world go.

[A]

By. You know, boss, that's mighty fine, but personally I'd rather have a home in little green valley when it's lamplight and time and then let the rest of the world go by. Jack, go ahead and sing.

[B]

About that little old green valley.

[A]

I see a candlelight down in the little green valley where morning glory vines Are twining round the door oh, how I wish I were there tonight down in the little green valley Valley and then my homesick heart would trouble me no more. There's only one thing ever gives me consolation and that's the dream that I'll be going back someday. And every night down upon my knees I pray the Lord to please take me back to that little old green valley far away all night long in my dreams I see a spot far away Nestled in the hill in the land that I love Stormy weather may come but whether the sky is blue or gray I keep dreaming of sunlight Beaming from heaven above I see a candlelight down in the little green valley where morning glory vines Are twining round the door oh, how I wish I were there tonight down in the little green valley and then my homesick heart would trouble me no more there's only one thing ever gives me consolation and that's the dream that I'll be going back someday and every night down upon my knees I pray the Lord to come Please take me back to that little old green valley far away there's only one thing ever gives me consolation and that's the dream that I'll be going back someday and every night down upon my knees I pray the Lord to please take me back to that little dream valley far away.

[B]

Now, neighbors, you've got nothing to fear. Just let your ponies go their way and they'll have you back to your ranch in no time. And please wander out this way again, won't you? So long.

[A]

Sam. Sa Ra Ra.