Classic BBC Radio Theme ~ Radio 4 UK Theme

[drigin1234]

I stopped listening to BBC radio after they stopped broadcasting this early morning tune.

The BBC had many opening tunes which were beutiful.

I believe the reason they ditched this tune is because it may have caused offence to all people who were not British Political correctness all gone mad.

[RocksNStars55]

@drigin1234 People who were not British? Like who for example? Who on earth would be offended by a beautiful piece of music like this?

[redfire20003]

Rule Brittania

LondonDerry Air (O Danny Boy)

Annie Laurie

Drunken Sailor

Greensleeves

Men Of Harlech

Early One Morning

Rule Brittania (reprise)

This was a lovely composition of Traditional tunes. I cannot fathom why R4 ever decided to ditch it. Can someone tell me why?

[retroscient]

Thanks very much, I love it

[retroscient]

What's the tune that kicks in with violins around the 2:17 mark? I've known it forever but can't place it.

[markh5682]

@retroscient

That is Greensleeves

[janemacification]

@retroscient ok as far as i can tell the tunes are as follows

Rule Britannia

Londonderry Air

Drunken Sailor

Scotland the Brave

Men of Harlech

Early one morning

Rule Britannia

[radio53]

R4 has been pretty dire for the last five years. I can't listen anymore to the Today programme. Everytime I turn it on in the afternoons I get another programme about the Holocaust.

[1AdrianR]

Damazer is a bloody moron! "I believe the bulk of the audience will be better served by a pacy news briefing". Nothing could be farther from the truth! The bulk of the blooming audience wants it back! Also, what person is ready for a 'pacy' news briefing at 5:30 in the morning! People are hardly awake! I am writing to the BBC right away!

[Terrye29]

Huge mistake to take this off the air. Bring it back so that its old fans can enjoy it once again and a new generation can appreciate it.

[welshpollypanad]

My childhood!

[SallyPie08]

There's a tune for BBC Radio 4, its like a violin playing... anybody know what that might be?

[cageordie]

When I was between St Cuthberts and Newcastle Poly I used to read all night then push off to bed before my parents caught me. This meant bed time. Later, when I kept horses, this was time to get up, and there was no denying that when this had played through Britain had started a new day. Gorgeous theme, thank god for the Internet.

[juliemar3]

I miss waking up to this

[Sqrrl101]

As a kid/teenager, I used to listen to this very regularly before getting off to sleep. It's a damn shame that it's no longer on - I always found this piece of music comforting and quite beautiful.

[PiscaCPT]

Bravo! Cheers from Brazil

[Allenn100]

Great piece of music,

[Gibbymyson]

BRING IT BACK

[agghtee]

Life affirming

[elmossoful]

Bring it back pronto - the ex-controller has admitted he misunderstood how many people were listening to (and enjoying) it at 5.30 in the morning

[saawwaahh]

Is this not on anymore? Is it now JUST sailing by? I love this, brings back so many memories.

[rottenveiller]

this was a masterpiece but the complacent bbc with its massive public funding is losing its traditional values its days are numbered

[AlchemicalDavid]

Radio 4 is getting a new controller - Mark Damazar's going back to University and Gwyneth Williams will take over.

I hope she reads this - we want our silly, old-fashioned music back! :D

[mcgillianaire]

Absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately I moved here after they made the disastrous decision of removing this from the airwaves, but what can one do? Merely be thankful to people like you for sharing it with everybody else. So yeh, thanks! :)

[corksand]

Now we have Sailing By late at night. Why can't we have both?

[chrisb012]

I only came to enjoy Radio 4 recently, and have already fallen in love with the shipping forecast theme (thanks Mark, for putting on here). I found this on a search of themes online. I never even knew this existed! Its wonderful! Let's start a campaign to bring this back!

[Sanisaninja]

a beautiful piece of music. sadly missed.

[19adam87]

Does anyone actually know why this was removed by the BBC? Beautiful, patriotic, proud, uniting the nations of the UK.

[gorby1952]

I can feel your pain...

In earlier years the Netherlands had two radiostations: Hilversum 1 & 2. At midnight they closed down with the national anthem the "Wilhelmus". Later on we got Hilversum 3 &4. Now we have Radio 1,2,3,4,5 and 6. They all broadcast 24 hours a day. Still, they can't find only

5 minutes to please people like us...!

[cockneysontour]

@19adam87 In this PC world, and the Beeb have to be seen to be unbiased, I'm sure it was removed as it doesn't reflect the full culture of the UK. Although it covers all the UK's countries and what we stand for. I totally agree that we should campaign for this music to be played everywhere, especially at The World Cup 2010. Send a message to your local MP and tell them you'll vote for them if they bring this back!!!!

[WilliamstownTim]

Oh what horrible memories! This arrangement became synonomous with having to get up before half 5 every Monday morning and drive 100 miles to a job and town I had grown to hate. Whenever it came on I had to switch the radio off. Thanks muchly for all the other great downloads though Mark.

[juliemar3]

Thanks for posting this. As a total bbc radio 4 nut, I used to listen to this every morning half asleep...and i really miss it.

[cherikandler]

i think this was taken off air as a result of it not confirming to the "modern radio 4 agenda, "or some such piece ,management nonsence . like everybody else who has the misfortune to be up and out at 5 30 it was a real early morning tonic . i therefore must concur with 44tyke's sentiments in full !

[fmdxbg]

Rule Britannia!

[SimonTALM]

was one of the best "rewards" for getting up early

[Torreip1956]

GRRRREAT ! In "another life" I used to listen religiously to this piece before taking note of the marine weather forecast and i have been looking this piece for YEARS. THANKS 1 giga times

[44tyke]

I forgot to mention Mark Damazer(Beautifull British name) is a CUNT!

[44tyke]

This was still played untill about 2 yrs ago.

[431516020205]

good tune!! like i said before, i would love that radio!! thanx for posting!!, mike.