A cherished Marblehead tradition will take on added significance this year as St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church hosts a special Good Friday performance in memory of acclaimed folk singer and songwriter Bob Franke.
Franke died Oct. 16, 2025, after being struck by a motorcycle in Antigua, Guatemala, where he and his wife had retired just weeks earlier. He was 78.
On April 3 at 8 p.m., musicians who worked closely with Franke over the decades will reunite to perform “Meditations on the Passion,” a work that has resonated with audiences for more than 40 years. The gathering reflects both admiration for Franke’s artistry and the deep friendships he cultivated in the folk community.
“Bob had a rare gift for seeing the sacred in ordinary human experience,” said Rev. C. Clyde Elledge, rector of St. Andrew’s. “His songs helped people wrestle with doubt, joy, grief and hope. Many of us are still feeling the loss of his voice and his presence among us, but this year we have the privilege of hearing that voice again through the musicians and friends who loved him.”
First performed in 1980, “Meditations on the Passion” goes beyond traditional religious themes. Franke described it as a work that explores the human experience in the presence of the divine.
“It’s not necessarily about being a Christian,” he once said. “It’s about being human in the presence of the divine, and about the possibility of redemption even in the most tragic dimensions of the human condition.”
Praised as a “songwriter’s songwriter,” Franke’s work has been admired by both audiences and fellow musicians. Folk legend Tom Paxton described his songwriting as a blend of “Emerson, Thoreau, Mark Twain and Buddy Holly.” His songs have been recorded by artists including Peter, Paul and Mary and June Tabor.
This year’s performance brings together an impressive roster of folk artists, including Howie Bursen, Sally Rogers, Reggie Harris, Fred Small and Kate Seeger. Musical direction will be provided by Buffie Groves. Additional musicians performing with the St. Andrew’s Choir include Paul Combs, Joshua Levin-Epstein and Douglas Standley, among others.
The performance will take place at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 135 Lafayette St. The church is handicapped accessible, and while reservations are not required, early arrival is encouraged. A suggested donation of $10 is requested.For more information, visit StAndrewsMHD.org or call 781-631-4951.
