Classic BBC Radio Theme ~ Shipping Forecast (Sailing By)

[superova32000]

What a crock of shite...

[josephdarby1987]

I love this song I used to use to try sleep but now it's something I look forward to hearing after book of the week.

[fattyMcGee97]

@onsideowl I completely agree with you. It's great at 00:45. It really does calm me for going to sleep + the shipping forecast only helps.

[zarakhast]

Adore this.

[onsideowl]

Lovely piece. Its the only reason why I listen to the shipping forecast. I hate it when the BBC fade it in and out. Play it in it's entirity!

[NiamhG7]

I still use this to calm myself down when stressed. Happy memories of listening to this with my dad when I was a kid.

[SirCrouch1]

*Yawns then rests my head on the pillow and drifts off to sleep*

[fattyMcGee97]

You're the skipper of the trawler Rose (real boat, it sank last year) you're stuck off the coast of Peterhead or Kirkwall. You think it's going to be unpleasant returning to the depressing port of one of those places. It's at least a jolly little song to hear while you moan about returning home at 1am. It's good to have relaxing songs like sailing by sometimes.

[MrBurdett007]

Soothing, time to go to bed music, to float on the waves and dream.

[profhum]

If you were a child in New York in those years, the Syncopated Clock would affect you this way. It was the Late Show's theme. They showed a movie at 11 and you would hear the music from bed. In the summer, they'd ask you to turn down the volume since your neighbors' windows might be open in the heat.

[johnchj]

This makes me ever so happy.

[GARYINLEEDS]

I Love this music.

[bushabloke]

Thanks, been looking for that song for am age. Could not remember the title

[drigin1234]

@bushabloke The tune is called ''Sailing by'' written by Ronald Binge

available on a collection of CD British light Classics CDS44262

[1busybeekeeper]

So relaxing, it must be time for bed, 

[MrVoyager123]

not only is it time for sleep but for nice dreams too

[dionaea2008]

I am having this at my funeral... pity I won't be there in person and doubt anyone will know it. I first came across it during my last year at university (sad isn't it) as the haunting wind instrument immediately captures my longing to be near the sea, or at least on the beach circa 1967( for some reason). I am 43 now, even sadder...

[forumknight]

4 people deserve be at sea during hurricane storm 12!

[RaeRae914]

i used to listen to the shipping forecast with my bro and he'd explain all the places she was speaking about and basically wat she was saying aren't i lucky to have such a clever and nice brother love ya loads xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[CharlotteinWeimar]

What instruments play the arpeggios? Is it just woodwinds or is a synthesiser used?

[irateofwatford]

@CharlotteinWeimar I would have said 2 or 3 metal Boehm-system concert flutes playing in harmony.

[tinxybaby93]

Every time I listen to this, I cry, it's actually such a beautiful song, and just reminds me of my happy lovely childhood, and knowing I shall never be so happy or care-free again :'(

[dannymascarenhas1]

this was the final song everynight dad listened to before he went to bed. he would shout out they are playing our song. he passed away yesterday and this will be his departing song

[stuledger1]

I think it's crap because YouTube won't let me save it as a favourite !!

[canetoad1100]

As an ex seafarer I have listened to this tune on many an angry night in the North Sea while waiting for the ever important shipping forecast. God Bless the BBC for this service.

[jab06030603]

I am a Saudi student who lived with this piece of music for five years. At first, my intention was to improve my language. After a while, I found myself addicted to listen to! How amazing piece of music. I feel it, go deeper with its tone, remembering my brother who pass away and feel traveling to somewhere in past.

[arfnore]

Whats really really sad is that, the way things are going with public service institutions (like BBC radio four), my generation wont have this or any other good information radio available to us when we actually grow up (im 28 and i feel most people my age are a bunch of self centred arseholes). Shame

[MusicJunky3]

@arfnore

I read you loud and clear  !

[zepareace]

@arfnore

For sure, mate. Nothing is sacred anymore. Everyone lives an iLIFE these days. Sick, really. I wish I'd had the good fortune to give these times a wide berth.

[stuledger1]

This tune helps me to go to sleep zzzz zzz zzz zzz

[urracal]

Its the quintessential " Shipping Forecast" . Memories of snuggling down as a child late at night, and listening to far away places such as" Fisher, German & Dogger Bight "and wondering what they were like ..............................

[rosiehill01]

This was the exit music at my Dad's funeral, because he said he used to listen to this with my mum and they always fell asleep to it before they heard the shipping forecast!

It was beautiful

[mizoginwinter]

I put this in My Favourites because when I'm stressed out with the day I just put this on and all the stresses go away - what more could anyone want - thanks Mark

[MrLAINE10]

A lovely post Kimi and what a lovely choice for you and your husband at your wedding.. Good fortune to you both - I'm sure Grandad wil be watching...

[esmerlda1977]

I do like the shipping forecast and this at the end (if still awake).

Like some sort of ritual, I'd quickly hurry myself ready for bed after my shift. I tuned in just to listen, relax and then to fall asleep. It brought some calm and peace into my life.

Now I work 9-5, I don't listen as much.

[SignalsOverTheAir]

Mrs. Bale's favorite program

[arfnore]

i used to work the late shift when i was a student, i used to come in and listen to today in parliament smoking a bit o weed with some tea and spar own brand digestives, it was the highlight of some very very long days listening to this with the sandman slowly pouring out his wares, listening to the shipping forcast and dragging myself up to my warm, girlfriend filled bed.

[sculli722]

@arfnore I do a similar thing myself now. Keeping up the good student traditions of working our arses off just to support ourselves, then coming home to a joint and the shipping forecast before bed.

[Oldwolf63]

i love this, i still listen in to the shipping forecast via internet from the US ! but always miss the patriotic themes first thing on Radio 4!

[Oldwolf63]

i love this, i still listen in to the shipping forecast via internet from the US !

[chokkybikky]

So nice to hear the whole piece instead of having it cut short, as they so often do on the radio - drives me nuts! Thanks to the uploader - made my night!

[MrGarner76]

beautiful!

[vaguelyvintage]

the shipping forecast always help me go to sleep - but I'm rarely going to sleep at the right time to hear it :( - always either to early or too late!

[gra3ham]

I want this played at my funeral as the coffin slips away

[hellyjoyce]

@gra3ham we played it at my dads funeral as he listened to it every night and loved it, bless his heart x

[erniegannsmate]

I'm so glad I found this - thanks for ulpoading!! Sounds odd listening to it in daylight - first time I heard it was driving home after a particularly frazzling late shift. Since then it's had the same calming effect as the first time;)

[martincurd]

so ggod to here this agin from spain

[martincurd]

so many memories

[gibbo987100]

i love this tune it makes me think im sitting at the quayside watching the boats

[neddonovan]

thumbs up if john prescott sent you here

[Tubbyduff]

Only learned the significance of this tune when I left deep sea and starting coasting back in the 80s

[Lookup2Wakeup]

Ah, nice ......

[jsbell11]

I love to drift off to this each night and when I die I will be sailing by when this is played as my coffin goes into the incinerator.

I know I will hear it myself

[kimi705]

This would be the last thing my Grandad would listen to before he went to bed. Sadly my Grandad passed away May last year. We had a cremation and as the curtains closed for the final time, this song was played.

It was Grandad going to bed for the very last time.

I plan to walk down the aisle to this song. So So beautiful x

[hiphopsmithy]

@kimi705 wow! our storys are so similar well the same almost! R.I.P

[hideawaycottage]

@kimi705 we used this too at our wedding. Good luck ! :-D

[andywen8156]

Just to sit back and listern.... I was back on board for the awaited shipping forecast to follow. lovely

[imthestig74]

i love this.. takes you back to black and white days...

[olivermichael88]

gosh i used to listen to this in bed when i was in boarding school! many restfull nights were had after listening to this and then like many others i recorded it and took on all my toors with the army! amazing how it can lift the spirits! thanks for posting!

[HalcyonYachts]

A lovely tune, and some really nice comments... Good ol' shipping forecast! 

[matt3360]

@philmstill its stil played every night

[suelesvos]

takes me back to home town in cumbria when we listened to shipping every day now years on living on greek island it brings tears to the eyes miss my girls so much

[philmstill]

Bring it back... perfect end to an evening...

[philmstill]

Bring it back... perfect end to an evening...

[SandyCapp]

Before coming across this I thought I was the only soul who listened to this lovely piece nearly every evening, as I lie abed, having just put down my book of the day.

What a delight to discover that there's a whole community also lying abed, waiting to enjoy this hauntingly lovely tune, and the sheer poetry of the forecast which follows. Tonight will be a slightly different experience - knowing that I am far from alone. And who then will join me, 'trapped' by the wonderful World Service?

[herbaliser555]

Channel light vessel automatic, gale force four, rising slowly.

[Whitbywatcher]

Certain constants in life make you feel comfortable - like the BBC who are realy part of who we are, part of everyones upbringing, whether it be Blue Peter or the shipping forecast.

[MrVoyager123]

WHEN I HEAR THIS ITS TIME FOR SLEEP

[dionaea2008]

@MrVoyager123 Now that IS BEAUTIFUL! Did you walk down the aisle?

[Jolie028]

wonderful!

[keithc1977]

And now the Shipping Forecast issued by the met office on behalf of the maritime and coastgaurd agency at 00.15 on Monday 1st November...........

[noylam]

i heard this when i was a small boy til now starting with dad working in the shed

[HerrProfessorDoktor]

This is another example of how one should never underestimate the efficacy of something simple. It has brought peace, comfort, and assurance to so many at sea and also to so many whose loved ones were at sea. It also is wonderfully soporific, and a lullaby that even adults do not outgrow.

[Elibobbob]

I've always loved this. If you like this you may like Richard Hawley 'There's a Storm a comin' which is very similar in style and melody and ship theme. Both giving a sense of being on that ship and being gently rocked by the mother sea.

[SignalsOverTheAir]

Ms. Bale listens to this.

[Blusko]

I caught this for the first time the other week driving home from a friend's. I had never heard it before and thought it was just a segue into the shipping forecast, but then it seemed to go on forever. Researched the piece since then and now know why it plays but my God, what a strange experience it was listening to this beautiful piece of nothingness whilst alone on a dark country road. The most soothing way to be confused ever.

[DaveGrennan]

@Blusko I envy you that moment.  Sounds like a lovely experience.

[Lisnageeragh]

Ah ther efuge of the insomniac for us landlubbers ...love the names ...my best friend was a ships radio officer .

[psychonaut3]

Dogger, visibility moderate, 1023 rising more slowly....I still remember it, first time we went out.

[brianlehman]

The shipping forecast is pure poetry.

[rabbutler]

makes an old matelot very happy to hear this

[RaeRae914]

Gosh id just love to be a sailor,,,i dunno why its been in my mind since i was a child and its not going anywer ,,its like i just hav2 be at the sea ,,,i go to the docklands a lot in the morning just to be close to it ,,,dam why cant drems come true :)

[psychonaut3]

@RaeRae914 - come on tae my boat for a while. Soon show the realty of it., hauling in the nets and sortin out the haul would take the skin off your fingers. Still, if you fancy a December at sea off Aberdeen for a few bob, bring your skins.

[RaeRae914]

@psychonaut3 Haha id fecking love to do that unfortunately having 2 kids stops me doing any cool stuff...how long have u beeng going ta sea,,,wat a cool job ,,,i wouldnt care wat work i had to do ,,id get through it allright..do u not love ur job?

[Myles0Harcourt]

... Now the shipping forecast, Issued by the met Office at Oh-Oh-One-Five hours of Wednesday the Fourth of July 2010...

[kinklesstetrode]

Thanks for loading this. Brings back memories from different stages of my life. Strange.. Well done

[EMGL33]

I remember listening to this as a child lying in bed every weekend in the summer on my fathers 25 ft boat (RIP) with the wind houling outside such great times must be 30 years ago fhanks for posting

[MrVoyager123]

i know its time for bed when i hear this marvelous

[JennyP1972]

Thanks for posting this. I remember as a child I would listen to this on my small radio under the covers. Many a night as the wind and rain hit my windows I would think of the ships out on the Channel and say an extra prayer asking God to keep the sailors safe.

[RaeRae914]

@JennyP1972 What a lovely comment :)

[cyeber2004]

I've been listening to this tune since 1982 and taking down the shipping forecast for the Irish Sea with working in maritime search & rescue... Just wanted to say it brings back many a happy memory... Thanks for posting..

[mightyhunter721]

This is an evergreen lullaby!

[IWantLandingSnow]

I adore this piece. Gets me to sleep straight away :)

[Whitbywatcher]

This music is "continuity" some things never change, and thank goodness they dont, I first heard this when I was a young teenager listening to the radio late at night in bed, hoping my parents dident hear, and its still the same.

[omniscientescape]

mp3iffy works again wooohoooo awesome - google mp3iffy

[wfhpower]

played at the exact time every night so seafearers can tune in to the proper freq and get the weather.

[frankie07921]

brilliant piece of music

[Portlaoise50]

Hi this brings me back to the early 80 ties on the west coast of Ireland . thank you

[Bunkerettes]

Love this, Can't slee until I have heard it now! x

[deltakilo75]

I love this piece of music. I always look forward to hearing this before the shipping forecast. The end of the day just isn't complete without Sailing By although I would drive my work mates mad when I worked nights because they would have to listen to it and the Shipping Forecast at 00.48 every night

[themeekwanderer]

Love this so much, takes me back to 1978 when I first listened to this age 12, a bad time for me, but this made it good. :-)

[mailddj99]

This was a piece of music I was hooked on when I completed my degree at QMC, LU..way back in 1986-89. Amazing. This was my introduction to Radio 4...shipping forcast during late night studies...then the Archers, law in action, yesterday in parliament...today programme...Sad day when radio 4 pulled the plug on this piece. There is something all so safe about this piece. Felt like a well worn warm and cosy coat

[snips42]

@mailddj99 they haven't pulled the plug you can listen to it here or on radio 4 at around 00:40

[TheBrassnecks]

This beautiful tune so inspired me that I added lyrics, recorded it, and posted it on You Tube. Thanks for airing it. oops i've pressed the thumbs down by mistake!! sorry can you take it off ? ( Ive now pressed the right one). Thanks again

[andyhfromleeds1]

I've listened to this tune hundreds of times and never tire of it.

I thought the tune was very much older than it is. I was guessing it was Edwardian. It conjours up light flickering off the top of small waves perfectly.

[maafluff]

Played this at my grandma's funeral yesterday. She listened to it every night and loved it. It was perfect. Thanks for posting.

[sfxrules]

found it! finally! now, sweet dreams.....

[dusty10456]

I could pop my clogs to this, and go happily!. Thank you for the music........

[JennyP1972]

Alexander2010ization wrote,

it feels like that you could drift off to sleep to this.

I have many time as a child back in the UK.

[kym1518]

I love this so much! (even tho my musical preference is rock music) - I don't know why, but it always takes me back to my childhood in the sixties, and to a world of innocence and less hurried times. Beautiful.

[Alexander2010ization]

it feels like that you could drift off to sleep to this

[Brooksie130470]

@Alexander2010ization I do...every night (or morning) at 12:48am...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz­zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz so peacefulzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz­zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[artofwork]

This brings back some great memories for me. Driving home over the pennines after working at Granada TV as cameraman listening to Radio 4. It came on at roughly the same part of my journey every week back in the early 90s. Great to hear it again...

[althefunk]

thank you love this to bits. great just before bed.

[g7hug]

is it me or does this allways sound better on 198khz lw than fm?

[kayway9]

ahhhhh......sleeepy time......

:)

[zepareace]

This reminds me of some good times.

[rayflute]

Rising slowly! :)

[sixfootbear]

My cat thinks it is bedtime now!!

[CloudHippy]

dogger! bad dogger!

[BrokenneckYgor]

And here are the main points of the news again: Cuba's rebel movement has claimed victory in its war against the Regime of President Batista

The Prime Minister has urged caution in receiving the news from Havana

[SteveArpo]

Sublime.

[70slovekid]

Aahhh yes one can only say Tyne Dogger Fisher German Bight Humber:

Northeast veering east 6 to gale 8, occasionally severe gale 9 in German Bight and Humber at first. Rough or very rough. Occasional sleet or snow. Moderate, occasionally poor, light, occasionally moderate, icing in east Fisher and east German Bight.

[jonwiley]

I, too, was mesmerized when I first heard this music. Has the same effect as "Song of India" on me.

[47millionvictors]

Radio 4, I would be lost without it...

[faramaki]

Hear, hear!

[lascowiec14]

magical

[XionXi]

I first heard this a few years back, lying in bed at night and listening to the radio on my MP3 player. I liked it so much I recorded it to the hard drive. So haunting, and yet so peaceful.

Then, I heard the shipping forecast, and thought WTF? It was surreal... I saved a copy - it comes in handy when I'm trying to clear my head before falling asleep. Now I'm pretty much hooked on Radio 4. Only a cretin would say it's a boring station.

[sixtylady]

@XionXi MY BORTHER WAS A MERCHANT SEAMAN AND I HEARD OF THIS MUSIC AND VIDEO THROUGH HIM. I CAN IMAGINE THESE SAILORS LISTENING TO THIS WHEN THEY ARE FROM FROM HOME.

[yellowdrummachine]

@XionXi It is played before the last shipping forecast so that sailors can tune their radio in, hear the familiar music and know that they have the right frequency before the actual forecast starts.

[hellyjoyce]

my dad listened to the radio every night in bed, and mum always used to try and get him to try turn it off so she could sleep. he said he had to listen to the end music first. good on him! he he. such a beautiful piece of music.

god bless him, he passed away in may 2008 and my lovely mum went to join him 5 mths later. we had it played at his funeral as he loved it so much. i hope they both listen to it now every night, as i surely do. god bless you both, loved always and never forgotten xxx

[adentom480223]

Wonderful, first heard it many years ago, whilst stopping overnight on a truck delivery. Was listening to Radio 4 and fell asleep,woke up to this and thought I had died and gone to heaven.

[jonwiley]

@adentom480223 I love Radio 4. I must admit, though, that I find it very "British" and some of the talk radio topics are hard to follow for my American ears and POV

[paultyler999]

great piece of music...I shall have this played at my funeral as the curtains close :-)

[faramaki]

Good idea! I was thinking of "Trumpeter's Lullaby" by Leroy Anderson but... hmmm....

[andygin]

Beautifull nothing more to add.

[m1bov]

As a midwife I heard this tune as I was coming away from the most fantastic birth I ever attended.

That was twenty five years ago and I still listen in as often as possible.

[HitMeQuick]

I wonder if it was my birth?

[Raeanne231]

i love the shipping forecast its my favourite thing to listen to, theres something so eerie and lonely about it......its great

[wfhpower]

Lundy Fastnet:

West or southwest backing southeast, becoming cyclonic later, 5 to 7, decreasing 4 for a time. Moderate or rough, occasionally very rough. showers then rain. Good becoming moderate or poor.

[Bryans900]

i used to play this on my reel-to-reel tape recorder in 1966!

[Pete4000uk]

Thanks for this! I can now play this and fall asleep any time of the day!

[landsker]

Ah, thankyou for posting this. As an old sailor, I can vouch that this tune has brought comfort and warmth to many a mariner... It just tells you that no matter how far from land, the ferocity of the storm, or the height of the waves are of little lesser importance, it lets you know, in such a civilised manner, that someone back there on terra firma cares enough to reach out to all those at sea.

[islandtraction]

@landsker. What a wonderful and erudite observation. I'm so happy this music meant so much to you, and it seems always got you home safely.

[BarryChuckle9]

@landsker well said my boy

[mk3interstate]

@landsker

Many years ago the countdown to the shipping forcast at about 11.30pm on radio 4! it seems like yesterday. where have the last 35 years of my life gone? life has been tough but its good to hear quality bbc music again

[GriefTourist]

Wonderful. Sleep tight night birds.

[eybergaj]

Such peaceful piece of music

[431516020205]

beautiful!!!