Ed was one of the first people I met in the San Francisco Folk Music Club, over 40 years ago. Quite the character! I am so sad he’s gone:

We used to have a monthly song session here in the San Francisco Bay Area, called In Harmony’s Way, which grew out of an album put together by several local traditional singers, one of whom was Ed Silberman. He wrote a song about the sessions, called In Harmony’s Way. We often sang it as a way of announcing that the mid-session break was over, and it was time for everyone to get back into a circle and start singing.

Here are the words. I remember the tune, and can sing it for Casey or whoever else may be collecting tunes for Ed’s songs. I should also note that after the line about turning his head to the moon and baying, several of us would howl like wolves, and Wd hates it when we did that. Sorry, Ed! Guilty as charged!

“In Harmony’s Way, by Ed Silberman

When the rain clouds loom, all is dark and gloom
And trouble is coming your way.
Turn your luck around with a joyful sound
By walking in Harmony's Way.

Chorus: Are you walking, are you walking,
are you walking in Harmony's Way?
Are you walking, are you walking,
are you walking in Harmony's Way?

When the sky turns hail and best friends fail
And you fear that you won't see light of day
You can right that wrong with a rousing song
If you're walking in Harmony's Way.

Chorus

Now I will not lie, sometimes I have to cry
Turn my head to the moon and bay
But I'll laugh and shout when the stars come out
When I'm walking in Harmony's Way.

Chorus”