Thursday, April 19, 2012

GUNSMOKE THEME: THE RARELY HEARD LYRICS

Sixty years ago, a new radio series premiered: GUNSMOKE. It lasted from April 26, 1952 to June 18, 1961…starring William Conrad as Marshal Matt Dillon and Georgia Ellis as Kitty Russell. It was one of the last radio shows to fall to the popularity of television, and it's quite a testament to Mr. Conrad and his writers and cast, that his "Gunsmoke" spent most of its run in competition with the TV version starring James Arness and Amanda Blake. The TV show premiered September 10, 1955 (ending its historic run on March 31, 1975).

"Gunsmoke" is credited as the first "adult western" series. Radio's "Lone Ranger" and "Cisco Kid" were intended for kids, as was most of the cowboy movies that played in theaters starring various Bucks and Hopalongs and Sons of pioneers. Radio listeners instantly knew the intent behind the series from the weekly introduction:

Announcer "“Around Dodge City, and into territory on west, there's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers: that's with a U.S. Marshal, and the smell of gun smoke!” Conrad: "I'm that man. Matt Dillon. United States marshal… the first man they look for, and the last man they want to meet… it’s a chancy job, and it makes a man watchful… and a little lonely.”

Lonely? Not a trait of such heroes as the Cisco Kid, Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, Tom Mix, Wild Bill Hickok or Roy Rogers. Episodes often involved sadism, loose women, grim tales of human nature, and story lines that led more into darkness than happy endings. Some aspects of this can be scene in the early half-hour version of "Gunsmoke," which often began with Arness wandering a graveyard, grimly wishing that people weren't so prone to violence.

The end of both radio and TV versions offered up a mild, unmemorable theme song to roll with the credits. Rex Koury's loping melody had lyrics from Glen Spencer, all about old trails and ghostly horsemen…cliches from other series and movies. Tex Ritter tucked it on the B-side of his 78rpm cover of "Wayward Wind" back in 1955. In 1944, Ritter was the star of "Marshal of Gunsmoke," which was the name of the town. Marshal Dillon's town was Dodge City. Your download is naturally the most obscure version to be found…the work of The Prairie Chiefs, who probably were not Native American, and didn't scalp lyricist Glen Spencer for handing them such forgettable words.

"Gunsmoke trail, oh tell me of days gone by, tho' alone you still wind your way. Are the ghostly horsemen riding, as they speed the eastern mail? It's up to you see them through the old trail….Gunsmoke traveler, no traveller to care where you go. Sands of time are hiding your way. Bet if heaven ever let you, you could tell a rugged tale. That's why I hate to see you fade old trail…."

GUNSMOKE THEME - WITH LYRICS Instant download, no capcha codes, or lame ads for dating services or video game websites, and no extortion from organized crime Eurotrash to buy a premium account so they can make money off somebody else's copyight.

11 comments:

Gunsmoke Fan. said...

Very informative and humorous. Thank you. A fan of Gunsmoke.

Ronnie Bishop said...

I think the music for Gunsmoke was really great and I didn't know it had lyrics.

Unknown said...

Greatest Western of all time

Unknown said...

I grew up watching Gunsmoke and Bonanza. Every boy wanted to be Matt Dillion U.S. Marshall. Great programs.

Anonymous said...

Love ❤️ Gunsmoke and the music themesong at the end.
Saw the lyrics and glad they left them out,
Not impresed by them at all

Unknown said...

Like many of you fans, I grew up with Gunsmoke on TV. These precious memories will always be kept in many a heart, for it beckons the days of the Golden Age of America.......

Anonymous said...

Good Gunsmoke Trivia. All "Gunsmoke" stuff is cool, like the "unknown gunman" at the beginning of the show being Leo Gordon(1st Gunsmoke episode gives knowledge of that) Gordon was in 1953 Hondo starring John Wayne. Or how about this one→James Arness quotes Micah 6:3 KJV in "Kangeroo" se5 ep7(163) →Far cry from the junk on prime time now.

Anonymous said...

Those are good lyrics. Obviously left out to give the music a broader dimension.

Anonymous said...

Those are good lyrics, obviously left out to give the music a broader dimension.

Anonymous said...

The Tex Ritter rendition is excellent. The video that goes with it is perfect.

MichelleP12 said...

Leo Gordon was at one time, before his acting career, an actual criminal who served time in prison. I think it was for armed robbery. He was one of the meanest inmates, according to the warden.