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Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye

Episode 1 of 4

Michael Morpurgo travels to the heart of folk's most enduring songs.

The author Michael Morpurgo (War Horse, Private Peaceful) explores the ways in which folk songs have reflected timeless human experiences, both in the past and today.

With help from singers, songwriters and other passionate experts, Michael admires the indelible stories within classic songs that deal with migration, war, protest and love.

Over the four themed episodes, Michael considers the locations and historical contexts that gave rise to much-loved traditional songs, and finds out how the same topics are inspiring new folk songs in the 2020s.

In the first episode, Michael considers a song about an injured man returning from war: Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye.

With Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Karine Polwart, Ian Lynch, Georgina Boyes, Ashley Hutchings, Nancy Kerr and Ralph McTell.

A 7digital production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Mon 28 Nov 2022 11:30
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Four Loom Weaver

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Music Played

  • Karan Casey

    Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye

  • The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Mackem

    Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye

  • Judy Garland

    When Johnny Comes Marching Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

  • Pat O'Connorly and His Orchestra

    Johnny

  • Steeleye Span

    Lovely On The Water

  • Ewan MacColl

    The Press Gang

  • The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Mackem

    The Bold Fenian Men

  • Christopher Brent

    When Johnny Comes Marching Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Again

  • Karine Polwart

    Will Ye Go Tae Flanders?

  • Coope Boyes & Simpson

    Standing In Line

  • Chumbawamba

    Hanging On The Old Barbed Wire

  • Ralph McTell

    Lost Boys

  • Karine Polwart

    Whaur Dae Ye Lie?

  • Karine Polwart

    Young Man On A Mountain

  • Stick in the Wheel

    Four Loom Weaver

Credits

Presenter Michael Morpurgo
Interviewed Guest Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh
Interviewed Guest Karine Polwart
Interviewed Guest Ian Lynch
Interviewed Guest Georgina Boyes
Interviewed Guest Ashley Hutchings
Interviewed Guest Nancy Kerr
Interviewed Guest Ralph McTell

Broadcasts

  • Mon 19 Oct 2020 16:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Mon 28 Nov 2022 11:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4