Last night BBC Radio 4 broadcast a programme presented by Will Self about the distopian science fiction writer JG Ballard . Apparently as a guest on Desert Island Discs, Ballard chose Teddy Bears' Picnic. He had liked it as a child, then hated it and had returned to it in later life.
Self remarked that the song is sinister and said it had frightened many children. I can remember it as a child and it certainly exercised a fascination for me. I don't remember being frightened although the warning to steer clear of the woods sounded like sage advice at that age.
Of course, I had a look for it and this is what I found:
I had no idea this recording was so old. The orchestration is rather fun and Henry Hall's voice is a little sinister.
I have a plan from time to time to dig out some Children's Favourites. This was the name of BBC Home Service programme on Saturday mornings. I welcome suggestions, even from a later (or earlier) era.
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