What Color Is God's Skin?

In keeping with my last blog about Up with People and given the ongoing violent protests in multiple cities, I will post another UWP song that was a favorite of mine over 50 years ago. The words and music were composed by Tom Wilkes and David Stevenson.

[click title link below to hear song]

What Color Is God's Skin?

“Good-night” I said to my little son

So tired out when the day was done.

Then he said as I tucked him in

“Tell me Daddy what color’s God’s skin?”

What color is God’s skin?

I said it’s black brown it’s yellow

It is red it is white.

Ev’ry man’s the same in the good Lord’s sight.”

He looked at me with his shining eyes

I knew I could tell no lies

When he said Daddy why do the diff’rent races fight

If we’re the same in the good Lord’s sight?”

What color is God’s skin?… etc.

Son that’s part of our suffering past

But the whole human family is learning at last

That the thing we missed on the road we trod

Is to walk as the daughters and the sons of God.”

What color is God’s skin?… etc.

Those words were originally penned in 1964. I wonder that many are still missing the idea of walking as the daughters and sons of God? I'm probably as guilty as the next person. Isn't it time we learned?

Olympian Jesse Owens arranged for two special performances of UWP for athletes
at the Olympic Village Theatre, Munich, Sept.1972, after the tragic massacre of Israeli athletes.

Up with People

photo from www.upwithpeople.org

From the late Sixties to the Eighties, Up with People singing group was one of my favorites. They were an upbeat, energetic bunch of young people who toured college campuses and other venues singing about the good in everyone. I owned their vinyls and later half dozen of their CDs. I first heard them perform at Harding University and later at the World's Fair in New Orleans. They brought a message and spirit of unity and togetherness. Their diversity included whites, African Americans, Asians, Hispanic, and other ethnicities. Check out their videos on YouTube.

Up with People

1. It happened just this morning, I was walking down the street. 

The milkman and the postman and policeman I did meet

There in ev’ry window and ev’ry single door

I recognized people I’d never noticed before

(Chorus)

Up! Up with people! You meet ‘em wherever you go!

Up! Up with people! They’re the best kind of folks we know.

If more people were for people all people ev’rywhere,

There’d be a lot less people to worry about, and a lot more people who care.

There’d be a lot less people to worry about, and a lot more people who care.

2. People from the south-land and people from the north,

Like a mighty army, I saw them coming forth.

‘Twas a great reunion, befitting of a king!

Then I realized people are more important than things.

(Chorus)

3. Inside everybody there's some bad and there's some good,

But don't let anybody start attacking people-hood.

Love them as they are, but fight for them to be

Great men and great women as God meant them to be.

(Chorus)

Up! Up with people! You meet ‘em wherever you go!

Up! Up with people! They’re the best kind of folks we know.

If more people were for people all people ev’rywhere,

There’d be a lot less people to worry about, and a lot more people who care.

There’d be a lot less people to worry about, and a lot more people who care.

The message was positive 50 years ago and it is still favorable today. In these appalling times let us draw near to God and strive to be UP WITH PEOPLE...all people, everywhere.