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The Ballads of Child Migration

A special programme of live highlights from The Ballads of Child Migration tour.

Folk musicians perform songs inspired by tales of British children forced into new lives abroad.

Mark Radcliffe introduces a special programme of live highlights from The Ballads of Child Migration tour.

This moving concert, narrated by Barbara Dickson, features top folk musicians performing original songs inspired by tales of British children who were forced into new lives abroad.

Chris While & Julie Matthews, Boo Hewerdine, O'Hooley & Tidow, Jez Lowe, John Doyle, John McCusker, Michael McGoldrick, Andy Seward and Andy Cutting are among the cast of the show, which was recorded during a UK tour in November 2018.

Between the 1920s and 1970s, more than 130,000 children without families were sent to Australia, Canada and other countries. They were promised better, happier lives, but lots endured hardship, cruelty and abuse. Many of them continue to lead adult lives disconnected from any family roots they might have in the UK.

The Ballads of Child Migration features surviving migrants speaking about their experiences, interwoven with folk songs inspired by those memories.

57 minutes

Last on

Wed 16 Jan 2019 21:00

Music Played

  • Chris While & Julie Matthews

    Small Cases Full of Big Dreams (Live)

  • Jez Lowe

    Barnado's Party Time (Live)

  • John Doyle

    Liberty's Sweet Shore (Live)

  • Jez Lowe

    Snow to Nova Scotia (Live)

  • Chris While & Julie Matthews

    Pinjarra Dreams (Live)

  • O'Hooley & Tidow

    Two Mothers (Live)

  • Julie Matthews

    Devil's Heart (Live)

  • Boo Hewerdine

    The Village Bell (Live)

  • Chris While & Julie Matthews

    The Clock (Live)

Broadcast

  • Wed 16 Jan 2019 21:00