Based upon actual case files of the Texas Rangers law enforcement agency, "Tales of the Texas Rangers" aired on the CBS television network from 1955 until 1957. The show then changed to the ABC television network for another two years from 1957 until 1959.
From Jace Pearson's Tales of the Texas Rangers #18, Dell publishing, December 1957
Sing along with DD and Howard to "Black Hills Of Dakota" from the 1953 Warner Brothers film "Calamity Jane".
Take me back to the black hills
The black hills of Dakota
To the beautiful Indian country
That I love
Lost my heart in the black hills
The black hills of Dakota
Where the pines are so high
That they kiss the sky above
And when I get that lonesome feelin'
And I'm miles away from home
I hear the voice of the mystic mountains
Callin' me back home
So take me back to the black hills
The black hills of Dakota
To the beautiful Indian country
That I love
Take me back to the black hills
The black hills of Dakota
To the beautiful Indian country
That I love
Lost my heart in the black hills
The black hills of Dakota
Where the pines are so high
That they kiss the sky above
And when I get that lonesome feelin'
And I'm miles away from home
I hear the voice of the mystic mountains
Callin' me back home
So take me back to the black hills The black hills of Dakota
To the beautiful Indian country
That I love
To the beautiful Indian country
That I love
Narrated by Roy Rogers. From "Melody Time" released by RKO Radio Pictures in 1948.
Classic Western Theater presents "Ride The Man Down" released in 1952 by Republic Pictures studios.
From Who's Who In Western Stars magazine, Dell publishing, 1953
From Mad magazine #136, October 1969.
"The Rifleman" told the adventures of widower Lucas McCain (who was very proficient with his loop lever action Winchester rifle) and his son Mark who lived on a ranch outside of North Fork, New Mexico territory. The series ran for 5 seasons on the ABC television network from 1958 until 1963.
From The Rifleman #12, Dell publishing, July 1962
Sing along with Steve, Chevy and Marty to "Blue Shadows On The Trail" from the 1986 Orion Pictures film "The Three Amigos".
Arizona moon keep shining
From the desert sky above
You know pretty soon
That big yellow moon
Will light the way back to the one you love
Blue shadows on the trail
Little cowboy, close your eyes and dream
All of the doggies are in the corral
All of your work is done
Just close your eyes and dream little pal
Dream of someone
(Boom boom boom boom, etc.)
Blue shadows on the trail
Soft wind blowing through the trees above
All the other little cowboys
Back in the bunkhouse now, so
Close your eyes and dream
From "Gatling Gophers" 1964.
Classic Western Theater presents "Thunder Over The Plains" released in 1953 by Warner Brothers studios.
From Who's Who in Western Stars magazine, Dell publishing, 1953
Laugh along with Marty Stuart as LeRoy Troy sings "Ghost Chickens In The Sky" from "The Marty Stuart Show" 2012.
A chicken farmer took a walk out on his farm one day
He paused by the coop as he went along his way
When all at once a rotten egg hit him in the eye
It was a sight he dreaded: Ghost Chickens in the Sky!
A-A-AOOOO! A-A-AOOOO!
Ghost Chickens in the Sky!
He’d been a chicken farmer since he was 24
Workin’ for the Colonel 30 years or more
Killin’ all them chickens and sending them to fry
Now they want revenge. Ghost Chickens in the sky
A-A-AOOOO! A-A-AOOOO!
Ghost Chickens in the Sky!
Their beaks were black and shiny and their eyes were blazing red
They didn’t have no feathers, these chickens all were dead!
They picked that farmer up and he died by the claw
They cooked him extra crispy and they ate him with cole slaw
A-A-AOOOO! A-A-AOOOO!
"Wagon Train" featured the adventures of a group of pioneers heading west from St. Joseph's, Missouri to Sacramento, California. This popular series lasted for 8 years on two different networks: from 1957 until 1962 on the NBC television network and then from 1962 to 1965 on the ABC television network. I chose this story because it features the original wagon master, Major Seth Adams, and the original scout, Flint McCullough.
From Wagon Train #9, Dell publishing, June 1961
Sing along with the "Man in Black" to "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky" from the television series "Austin City Limits" 1987.
An old cowboy went riding out one dark and windy day
Upon a ridge he rested as he went along his way
When all at once a mighty herd of red eyed cows he saw
A-plowing through the ragged sky and up the cloudy draw
Their brands were still on fire and their hooves were made of steel
Their horns were black and shiny and their hot breath he could feel
A bolt of fear went through him as they thundered through the sky
For he saw the riders coming hard and he heard their mournful cry
Yippie yi ooh
Yippie yi yay
Ghost Riders in the Sky
Their faces gaunt, their eyes were blurred, their shirts all soaked with sweat
He's riding hard to catch that herd, but he ain't caught 'em yet
'Cause they've got to ride forever on that range up in the sky
On horses snorting fire
As they ride on hear their cry
As the riders loped on by him he heard one call his name
If you want to save your soul from hell a-riding on our range
Then cowboy change your ways today or with us you will ride
Trying to catch the devil's herd, across these endless skies
Yippie yi ooh
Yippie yi yay
Ghost Riders in the Sky
Ghost Riders in the Sky
Ghost Riders in the Sky
Classic Western Theater presents "Bar 20 Justice" released in 1938 by Paramount Pictures studios.
Picture number 7 text: " Near the hidden door, Hoppy fights a gang guard and Slade pretends to help his new boss."
Picture number 10 text: " Bound. Hoppy is about to perish in the shanty which is now ablaze, but Windy arrives to save him."
From Who's Who in Western Stars magazine, Dell publishing, Fall 1952
From "Support Your Local Sheriff" released in 1969 by United Artists studios.
Paladin was an educated and sophisticated gentleman gunfighter for hire. His base of operations was the Hotel Carlton in San Francisco, California. He offered his services to those in need via a business card which read simply "Have Gun - Will Travel, Wire Paladin, San Francisco". "Have Gun - Will Travel" aired for 6 years on the CBS television network from 1957 until 1963.
From Have Gun - Will Travel #4, Dell publishing, January 1960
Sing along (and clap) with Gene and Smiley Burnette to "Deep in the Heart of Texas" from "Heart of the Rio Grande" 1942.
The stars at night
Are big and bright
(Four claps)
Deep in the heart of Texas!
The prairie sky
Is wide and high
(Four claps)
Deep in the heart of Texas!
The coyotes wail
Along the trail
(Four claps)
Deep in the heart of Texas!
The rabbits rush
Around the brush
(Four claps)
Deep in the heart of Texas!
The sage in bloom
Is like perfume
(Four claps)
Deep in the heart of Texas!
Reminds me of
The one I love
(Four claps)
Deep in the heart of Texas!
The cowboys cry
“Ka - yippie aye!”
(Four claps)
Deep in the heart of Texas!
The doggies bawl
Bawl! bawl! bawl!
(Four claps)
Deep in the heart of Texas!
The chicken hawks
Are full of squawks
(Four claps)
Deep in the heart of Texas!
The oil wells
Are full of smells
(Four claps)
Deep in the heart of Texas!
The cactus plants
Are tough on pants
(Four claps)
Deep in the heart of Texas!
That’s why perhaps
They all wear chaps
(Four claps)
Deep in the heart of Texas!
Classic Western Theater presents "Wagon Master" released in 1950 by RKO Pictures.
From Western Stars magazine, Dell publishing, Summer 1950