"You Meet 'Em Wherever You Go!" An Up With People Poem
70Up With People
Manly Poetry Man...like all folks that like to write...bases what he writes on...from his own experiences. And...(He) I would surely be amiss if I was never to write on this experience. Although it is hard to put a year of travels and amazing experiences down in anything less then an encyclopedia set...I try to make a go at it from my own personal experience...in the "Manly" Poem below:
Note: I couldn't resist using some of "Up With People's" own lines from songs when I travelled ...to complete this poem. (Some songs can be heard in "Up With People" Super Bowl XX video below from the show theme: "Beat of the Future".) The small sampling of words and titles I use below from these songs say much more about the group...then I ever could. And, if you just happen to know some of these lines from a show back then or from when you travelled...then they will probably take on some extra meaning for you.
Let me see...what this poem needs is the perfect Intro. Maybe, I can remember enough about how we use to start things for the show...to get this started in "Up With People" style! Let me give it whirl...for ol' times sake:
"Wait...I think I see the Cast getting ready to start the show. Is everyone ready to get this one started?"
Up With People, Cast B 2010 On Tour
Up With People UWP SuperBowl XX: Small Look at UWP's Past (And: Songs From Back When I Travelled)
"If More People...Were For People...All People Everywhere. There'd Be Alot Less People To Worry About...And Alot More People Who Care! Up, Up With People..."
" ♪, 2, 3, 4...Up, Up With People...♫ "
A new town on the horizon...is only a few bus tire rotations away...
And already...I'm ready to make the most...of this new destination's stay.
The Cast of "Up With People"...is going to bring alot to town with their show...
(*) "Up, Up With People...You Meet 'Em Wherever You Go!"
An education in a classroom...with a highway running through it...
Can you give it your all every day...Better believe you can do it !
I met a King, Sung to the U.N, and walked next to John McEnroe...after a win...
All I want to know is...Where do I sign-up to do it all over again?
Netherlands, Norway, NYC, D.C, Omaha, Dallas, and Miami...
Towns and People of all kinds...Seeing sights in every city.
Talked with sick folks in hospitals...and felons in prison...then went to set-up the Stage...
There are lessons I've learned about this world...that I will keep 'til a very old age.
From the Southwest Desert in the U.S....on out to a Norwegian Fjord...
Get ready to load the bus for the next city...It's time for everyone to get on board !
To bridge together many cultures with a (**) "Song of Peace" where there is (***) "Room for Everyone"...
(****) "Poundin' Like A Heart Beat"...The Sound of Tomorrow Ringing in our Ears"...has only just begun !
Going Across the Globe and Staying in Each Community...
Seeing things from other's point of view...And seeing things...as they see.
What do you know of your World...How far away have you been ?
Who'd you stay with today...Who far away once...Has now become your friend ?
I have thrown my carry-on bag over my shoulder...and ran to catch a foriegn train...
To work in another country...in another language and culture...too wonderful to fully explain.
Everyone should know this feeling...Everyone should see the World where People reside...
Humbly...I tell you this...Although I look on my travel's with "Up With People"...with pride.
Making our own Highlights...and Memories that will last for all time...for Everyone...
I never saw one person who wasn't smilin'...while looking in the audience...after each show was done.
I can't put all of "Up With People" into exact words...I've done other things in my life...that also I love...
But my time in "Up With People"...just can't hold up to those things...It stands so very far above.
An idea to share a Song to the World...talk to a new friend...or just share a smile...
"Up With People" has been doing it for a real long time...and doing it with great style !
At the Tours end...On the last rockin' drumbeat...of our last show's final encore...
We were still there singing and dancin' towards the rafters...All 100 Cast members...or more.
It was not time for us to stop performing together...for our Cast...the time had gone too fast...
Still we sang down to the last note...And final swing clap...For it wasn't us...But the moment ...Which didn't last!
And somewhere in a distant city...You can bet...(*****) "We'll Be There...And....We'll Be Singing One More Song"...
So, throw your carry-on bag on the bus and let's go...(******) "Come Along, Everybody...Everybody, Come Along!"
Up with People Cast B 1980-1981
Few Photos From Our Travels: Up With People, Cast D, 1986-87
Footnotes:
"Up With People" :
Started in 1965 during a turbulent period in the United States, Up with People was founded by J. Blanton Belk as a positive voice for young people. Its historic path officially began in 1968 when it was incorporated as an international, educational non-profit entity.
(*) "Up With People" song: Words and Music by P. Colwell and R. Colwell; Copyright © 1965 by Up With People
(**) Reference made to the song: "Can We Sing A Song Of Peace?": Words by Paul Colwell and Ken Ashby; Music by Ken Ashby; Arranger: M. Carledge; Copyright © 1981 by Up With People
(***) "Room For Everyone": Composed by: Ken Ashby, Tom Sullivan, Pat Murphy, Paul Colwell, Ralph Colwell, Herbert E. Allen; Copyright © 1984 by Up With People
(****) Line used in the song: "Beat Of The Future": Composers: Ken Ashby and Tim Renwick; Lyricists: Ken Ashby and Tim Renwick; Arranger: M. Carledge; Copyright © 1985 by Up With People
(*****) First Chorus line to: "We'll Be There": Words by Paul and Ralph Colwell; Music by Stuart Leathwood and Gary Sulsh; Additional Lyrics by E. Lentz and M. Bowerman; Copyright © 1985; Up With People
(******) "Raise A' Ruckus" Song used in "The Beat Of The Future"...which represented the U.S.A. during the international portion of the show. Started with a big cheer out to the audience: "Come Along, Everybody... Everybody, Come Along!" Song version comparative: "Raise A Ruckus"; Lyrics adapted by Johnny Mercer; How The West Was Won Soundtrack; 1962
Up with People - Cast A 2007 - Gothenburg Documentary: How UWP Looks In Present Day
If I had to share the world with you...If I could find the right words to put into a song...if I had to go far away just to visit you...then I would only say three words to you: "Up With People!"
Signed, Manly Poetry Man
Copyright © 2010 All Rights Reserved for this poem about "Up With People!"
Dedicated to Everyone in and involved with Cast D 1986-87...J. Blanton Belk, And to all the original "Uppies" that composed, sang, and danced to give the world "Up With People"...right on up to those "Uppies" that are out on the road today...singing and dancing (and talking) to the World!
"Come Along, Everybody...Everybody, Come Along!"
"Up With People" ... You Rock!
CommentsLoading...
GTR: Hey there my friend...Thanks for stoppin' by for this one. It was a wild ride adventure...and a fun one at that. With your aptitude for getting along with folks, Gus...you could'a done it. That was the key ingredient...was getting along well with others and the desire to. Then came the show...and there are plenty of talented folks to get that part done. Besides...there just aren't enough rednecks represented in the cross-section...and everyone knows that down here in Texas...You meet rednecks whereever you go...so that is a valuable commodity to have represented...Ha! My Best To You in the New Year...and to your family as well. MPM
Great tribute to an amazing crowd of people! Wishing you well and heaps of time to carry on writing your poetry in 2011!
Laura du Toit: Good to see you, Laura. Wishing you well...as well...in 2011. Happy New Year...and Thanks for reading this one on: "Up With People" and for calling 'em amazing! HUmblest Regards, MPM
That was great! I have never heard of them. Now you have shared them and I thank you.
Tina
Granny's House: Awesome...Glad I was able to share a little bit of the group with you! Thank you for reading this hub..and for sharing a comment. Appreciate you stoppin' by MPM Poetry...as well. Sincerely, MPM
"Up, Up With People ...You Meet 'Em Wherever You Go!"
Hiya manlypoet, what an awesome story/poem about Up With People. What a wonderful experience! Thumbs way up for this awesome hub.
Have a nice day,
Rosie
Rosie; Hi ya'...right back at'cha! Glad you enjoyed this one dedicated to "Up With People". Thanks for the comment...and for the "Thumb's way up" . Really appreciate you stoppin' in to read this one. It was a wonderful experience...and also fun to-try-and-go-a-ways-back and remember, then write a Poem-Tale about 'em, also! Have a nice day...to you too! Humble Regards, MPM
I love the positive energy here. It's as strong as your poem and that's really saying something! Great hub, up and awesome!
poetvix: Hey, thanks for your great comment here on this one about "Up With People". The positive energy really radiates from the group itself...I just tried to hook into it...that's all. Glad you liked it. Really appreciate you dropping in to read it, poetvix...and then leavin' a super comment. Humblest Regards, MPM. Best Fortune to you in your writings!
GusTheRedneck Level 6 Commenter 17 months ago
MPM - What an adventure ! The only thing keeping some of us from directly participating in things like these is that we can't sing worth a flip.
Happy 2011, Good Friend.
Gus :-)))