Michael Morpurgo's Folk Journeys

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

BBC Radio 4 FM

Michael Morpurgo

Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh

Karine Polwart

Ian Lynch

Georgina Boyes

Ashley Hutchings

Nancy Kerr

Ralph McTell

Michael Morpurgo's Folk Journeys: Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye

Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye

BBC Radio 4 - Michael Morpurgo's Folk Journeys, Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye

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 BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Documentaries

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media: Arts

Michael Morpurgo travels to the heart of some of the greatest songs ever composed.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Michael Morpurgo's Folk Journeys

Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye

Contributors

Genres

Series

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4