Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 11 Feb 17 - 06:46 AM

Checked in the Freedom Isn't Free and other threads. Couldn't find anything substantial on the Colwells so here:

Colwell Brothers

Not mentioned on the Hillbilly site is Paul's marriage to Anthony Quinn's daughter Catalina. They used to live in Seattle and Paul was still touring and working on a gender neutral update of Colorado, up until a few years ago at least.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: GUEST,mike
Date: 10 Feb 17 - 09:03 PM

Would love to get guitar tabs. Anyone?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Mar 12 - 05:49 PM

it is on both I tunes and Amazon as an mp3 download as are several other Up With People CDs. FINALLY!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: GUEST,Mistlelou
Date: 23 Feb 12 - 03:41 PM

My comment on Laura's post, from a Homer Peck Elementary student Arvada, CO 1970-1973, where this song was permanently drilled into my head and I can still sing it at age 49.

Your version of the lyrics are *exactly* what we sang using the parentheses alternates with out exception. Back then, our Colorado indoctrination could only compare to what Texas schoolchildren must experience.

Sincerely,
a latent Coloradophile

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: GUEST,Laura
Date: 13 Feb 12 - 12:38 PM

Thanks for the links!


Here's the lyrics as I sang them in 1985, as part of the camping song repertoire we learned at Moore Elementary school in Fort Collins for Poudre R-1 school district's "Eco-Week" held up at CSU's Pingree Park every year for 6th graders. Best memories ever.


If I had a Wagon a.k.a. The Colorado Song*
(*parenthesis = possible variation or addition)


If I had a wagon I would go to Colorado, go to Colorado
If I had a wagon! I would...
If I had a wagon I would go to the state
where a man can walk a mile high.

You come across the prairie, and there (alt: "right") before your eyes
you can see those Rocky Mountain peaks
a' climbing right up to the sky
climbing right up to the sky.

If I had a Chevy I would drive to Colorado, drive to Colorado
If I had a Chevy! I would...
If I had a Chevy I would drive to the state
where a man can walk a mile high.

Well I'm lookin' for more than silver,
I'm lookin' for more than gold.
Just like the Rocky Mountain state's
got folks who are rugged and bold
folks who are rugged and bold.

If I had an airplane I would fly to Colorado, fly to Colorado
If I had an airplane! I would...
If I had an airplane I would fly to the state
where a man can walk a mile high.

Just take a big deep breath of that most abundant air
That is why so many folks (alt: "that's why you'll find so many folks")
from California are there,
(from) California are there.

If I had a spaceship I would land in Colorado, land in Colorado
If I had a spaceship! I would...
If I had a spaceship I would land in the state
where a man can walk a mile high.

There's hating and there's fighting
across this world so wide;
a uniting spirit they will find
at the great continental divide
at the great continental divide.

(Well now) I don't have a wagon and I don't have a Chevy,
and I don't have an airplane and I'll never have a spaceship;
but I've got two feet to climb (alt: "walk") with and it's
Pike's Peak or bust;
where America can learn again, just like Colorado can
how to hold their head up high
where man can walk a mile high.



Best,

L

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: GUEST,JillD
Date: 04 Nov 11 - 11:11 PM

My father, husband, and daughter are constantly arguing (all in good measure of course) about whose state is the the best Colorado or Texas.
The other day we received a CD in the mail. It was the "If I had a... I would Go to Colorado song"! He had taped it years ago and was able to burn it onto a CD to antagonize my daughter, which he did of course. :) I will try to post it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Sep 11 - 02:44 PM

The verse with the blank is: I'm looking for more than silver, I'm looking for more than gold, Just like those Rocky Mountains, They've got men who are rugged and bold, Men who are rugged and bold.

And also the end is: There is hating and there's SPITING across the world so wide.

That is how I learned it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: GUEST,RK, a Denver native
Date: 02 Nov 10 - 10:03 PM

Oh, my goodness... I LOVE this song! And, I'm not sure why, but I get all choked up about the "come across the prairie, and there before your eyes..." part.

Anyway, I've been looking for this song for a while because I want to use it in a grammar lesson on the second conditional form (If I had... I would ...).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: GUEST,Dixon
Date: 28 Oct 10 - 12:33 AM

Okay i went to Berkley Elementary (long since closed)in Denver Colorado... and as i recall the lyrics we learned were a bit different. Maybe our school did a watered down version of it.

If I had a wagon I would ride to Colorado, ride to Colorado
If I had a covered wagon
If I had a wagon I would ride to the state
Where America can learn again
Just like Colorado men
How to hold their heads up high!

If I had a Toronado I would drive to Colorado, drive to Colorado
If I had a Tor-o-nad-o
If I had a Toronado I would drive to the state
Where America can learn again
Just like Colorado men
How to hold their heads up high!

If I had an airplane I would fly to Colorado, fly to Colorado
If I had an aero plane
If I had an airplane I would fly to the state
Where America can learn again
Just like Colorado men
How to hold their heads up high!

If I had a space ship I would land in Colorado, land in Colorado
If I had a space ship
If I had a space ship I would land in the state
Where America can learn again
Just like Colorado men
How to hold their heads up high!

Well I ain't got no covered wagon
ain't got no Toronado,
ain't got no airplane and I'll never have a space ship
But I've got two feet for walking and it's Pikes Peak or bust
Where America can learn again
Just like Colorado men
How to hold their heads up high!

I know there was an album made of the Denver school kids singing back in the very early 70's. This song was on that album.
Anyone have the album?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 09:19 PM

Went to Joe's link and found Merle Haggard and Colorado on the list. Had to download that one.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: GUEST,jks
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 07:27 PM

What a great song -- I finally found it and burned a CD after many years of searching. I was in high school '67 to '70 and my after-school job was driving a delivery route. Hal Moore on KHOW 630 was the afternoon drive-time D.J. to whom I listened every day, and I was usually on my way back to the store when this came on every Friday afternoon at 5:10 after Tim Kenney's newscast. Hal Moore would say, "All right everybody, it's time for all of you out there on your way home on the Valley Highway to pull your cars over to side of the road, get out, face the purple mountains majesties, put your hand over your heart and SING THE COLORADO SONG AS WE START THE WONDERFUL WEEKEND IN THE WEST!!!" Then the whip would crack and with a "C'mon, big mule!" we were off. I could swear looking around the rest of cars on the road or at a stoplight, at least a third of the other drivers were singing right along with me......

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: GUEST,blackhnuu
Date: 03 Jul 10 - 03:12 AM

I am a native born and raised. I thought we all knew the song.
I even taught it to my boys before I brought them to stay. I am giving my age away but most of my generation knew the song by heart.
It was considered at the time to be the state song and you learned it in Colorado history.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Jun 10 - 12:52 AM

I don't see that song on the recordings available at http://www.upwithpeople.org/, but you can download it as an MP3 at Amazon and the usual MP3 outlets.
(Or you can hear it right away at the YouTube Link somebody provided above.)
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jun 10 - 11:28 PM

How can you get a copy of this sonb by up with people? Is it available on CD?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Nov 09 - 10:18 AM

if i had a wagon....

you come across the prairie and there before your eyes
oyou see the rocky mount. peaks climbin up to the skys

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Nov 09 - 09:56 PM

I learned it differently from the you tube video...instead of the whole California people thing its:

Just take a big deep breath of that most abundant air
you'll see the reason why they built the Air Force Academy there,
The Air Force Academy Therrrrrre

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: GUEST,kara
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 06:34 PM

This should please you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w92oVTrn0H4 (video of "Colorado" by the Up With People group).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: GUEST,Colorado John
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 09:59 AM

I asked my kids one day if they had ever learned this song in school. They said no, so i have been looking for this song to teach it to them. I was either in 3rd 4th or 5th grade and our music class rehersed, sang and recorded this song and sent it to "Hot Dog" Howard Moore and he played it on KHOW one day. That was about 1972-1975. The grade school was Sunset Ridge Elementary in Westminster Colorado. I did not know who the original artist was or all of the lyrics.

Subject: RE: Origins: Colorado
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Jan 09 - 08:16 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Origins: Colorado
From: GUEST,M
Date: 03 Jan 09 - 02:12 AM

I remember this song from elementary school music class.

You can download "Colorado" onto your iPod or MP3 player by going to this link on amazon.com :

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001JTIW42/ref=dm_dp_adp

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: GUEST,Kelly
Date: 21 Dec 08 - 03:18 AM

Ace, you "Aced" me by 4 days. I too spent the 99 cent to get it at iTunes tonight. I grew up in the Springs. I'm 47 now, and I remember Fridays at 5:00 when I was a kid, listening to KHOW with my family. Hal and Charlie would kick off the "Wonderful Weekend in The West" saying something about facing the majestic purple mountains with hand on heart. Then the song started with the banjo and the cowboy whistle. We would sing along. Such a fond memory. I wish I could find a recording of that whole intro.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: GUEST,Ace
Date: 16 Dec 08 - 12:24 PM

The song is now available in iTunes. Just found it last night and have been singing it all day.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: GUEST,zonna
Date: 12 Jul 08 - 08:39 PM

Phillippe -- I went to limewire and couldn't find it. What title and author is it listed under?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would
From: GUEST,Philippe
Date: 30 May 08 - 11:56 PM

I moved to Colorado in 91, lived there for almost 10 years and I too am moved every time I hear the song. I found it through limewire and had been looking for the lyrics too. I can't becoming emotional everytime I hear it, Colorado is the greatest state in the Union and I still miss it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would
From: GUEST,r deines
Date: 05 May 08 - 03:52 PM

This may be old news, but I just found this site. My daughter is doing a report on Colorado and this song came to mind. I grew up in Ft. Collins. I remember this song because radio station KHOW with 'Hal and Charlie' would play this every week, Friday afternoon at 5:00 to start out the "Wonderful Weekend in the West". I heard it hundreds of times. fun times

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: GUEST,Colorado Grandma
Date: 29 Apr 08 - 11:10 AM

This may not be the 'coolest' song ever, but it is a great Colorado song to teach my four year old grandaughter who still belts out "Oklahoma" from our trip across that chigger-ridden state!!! She loves it!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: Peace
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 02:07 PM

Four or five are regulars here, John. FYI.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would
From: GUEST,John Ebel
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 02:05 PM

If anyone is still there at this late date, I may have an MP3 of the song. We used to watch a video of this song in grade school in the late 60's/early 70's. What fond memories!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 29 Feb 08 - 03:19 PM

To hear Robertson's tune, click and scroll down to the song title Colorado.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 29 Feb 08 - 03:13 PM

Codger, no, but I instinctively reach for my bong when John Denver sings "friends around the campfire, and everybody's high."

I like Rick Roberston's Colorado about as well as any song about the state.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 08:01 PM

You can get it, as done by UWP< HERE.

If you want to download some software, you can get the UWP sheet music HERE.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 07:50 PM

Up with people did the song but I haven't able to find a copyh

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would
From: Artful Codger
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 06:15 PM

Lonesome, do you instinctively reach for a paper bag when you hear "Rocky Mountain high, Colorado"?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 11:10 PM

As one who has a "Pioneers" license plate in Colorado, I think the song my grandma wrote for Colorado is better.:-)

I am pretty sure I probably heard Up With People sing this song when I was a kid in the 60s in Colorado.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 10:44 PM

Born in the Rockies of northern NM, and often 'gone fishing' near the old family homestead near La Veta, it gags me too.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 09:46 PM

As a Colorado resident, I have to say this song really activates my gag reflex.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: GUEST,GMILL
Date: 27 Feb 08 - 09:00 PM

I have been looking for an iTunes or MP3 download of this song and cannot find it. To the best of my recollection a DJ, Hal Moore, used to play it at 5 pm on Firdays on KHOW, I'd guess it started about 1969 or so. I graduated from college and moved to Casper, Wy, to work. I used to bust out of work at 4 on Fridays when making a trip to Colorado about once a month. I could get far enough south to pick up the radio signal at 5. It was really great because Hal would tell everyone to stop, face the purple mountains majesty, put their hand over their heart and give thanks to live in the greatest state of the union. Then he'd play the Colorado song. It was really outstanding. This went on for a number of years but has faded from the local memory, I suppose. I do miss it. So, if anyone has a place where I can get a download of the song, let me know.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Colorado: 'If I had a wagon, I would ...'
From: GUEST,Tim in Denver
Date: 09 Nov 07 - 08:33 AM

You betcha.... also if I had a spaceship I would land in colorado, and if I had a plane I would fly to colorado, but I dont have an airplane, and I dont have a chevy, and I will never have a spaceship, but I got two feet to walk on and I know for a fact, that I am going to be there someday....... Up with People circa 1966.

Subject: Lyr Add: COLORADO
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Oct 07 - 05:15 PM

COLORADO
Dave Allen / Paul Colwell (ASCAP)

Refrain:
If I had a wagon, I would go to Colorado,
Go to Colorado,
If I had a wagon, I would.....
If I had a wagon, I would go to the state,
Where a man can walk a mile high.

Verse:
You come across the prairie,
and there before your eyes,
You see the Rocky Mountain peaks,
climbing into the sky,
Climbing into the skyyyyyyy.....

Refrain:
If I had a Chevy, I would drive to Colorado
Drive to Colorado,
If I had a Chevy, I would.....
If I had a Chevy, I would drive to the state,
Where a man can walk a mile high.

Verse:
Can't remember this one.

Refrain:
If I had an Airplane, I would fly to Colorado
Fly to Colorado,
If I had a Airplane, I would.....
If I had a Airplane, I would fly to the state,
Where a man can walk a mile high.

Verse:
Just take a big deep breath of that most abundant air
You'll see the reason why the built the Air Force Academy there
The Air Force Academy there…….

Refrain:
If I had an Spaceship, I would land in Colorado
Land in Colorado,
If I had a Spaceship, I would.....
If I had a Spaceship, I would land in the state,
Where a man can walk a mile high.

Verse:
There's hating and there's fighting across the world so wide
A united spirit they will find at the Great Continental Divide
The Great Continental Divide……….

Refrain:
Well I don't have a wagon
And I don't have a Chevy
And I don't have an Airplane
And I'll never have a Spaceship         
But I've got two feet to climb with and it's
Pikes Peak or Bust
Where Americans can learn again just like
Colorado men how to hold you head up high…….
Where a man can walk a mile high…………..

Subject: RE: Tune Req: If I Had A Wagon, I Would Go to Col
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Sep 07 - 03:39 PM

So, I can't tell you who sang it but another verse.

Just talk about gold and silver
and right before your eyes you see
those rocky mountain peaks
climbing up to the skkkkkyyyyy.

The the refrian starts over with a car

If i had a car I would drive to Colorado...

If I had a airplane I would fly to Colorado....

If I had spaceship I would land in Colorado.....

I hope that helps.

Subject: RE: Origins: Colorado
From: GUEST,Jaydublu
Date: 06 Aug 07 - 04:47 PM

KHOW AM in Denver used to play this song in the late 1960s/early 1970s. I remember it well driving to Denver to visit relatives. Another neat promo was "Wonderful Weekend in the West...on KHOW!" Anybody else remember that one?

Subject: LYR ADD: If I Had A Wagon, I Would Go to Colorado
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Mar 07 - 08:53 AM

I learned the song at Steck elementary in third grade and was told that it was the state song not Where the Colimbines grow. here are ALL of The lyrics:

If I had A wagon I would drive to Colorado
Drive to Colorado
If I had a covered wagon
If I had a wagon I would Drive to the state
Where a man can walk a mile high.

Their comin across the prarie
and there before their eyes
they see the Rocky Mountain State
Climbing up to the sky's
Climbing up to the sky's

If I had a chevy I would Drive to Colorado

If I had an Airplane I would Fly to Colorado ECT...

IF YOU WANT TO HEAR THE TUNE< I MUST SING IT TO YOU AS I CAN'T WRITE MUSIC Call me any time to have your ears assaulted [phone]

Subject: RE: Origins: Colorado
From: Artful Codger
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 06:27 AM

The New Christy Minstrels performed a song called "Denver" (words by Randy Sparks, I believe - to the tune of "Rosin the Beau"). Perhaps that's what brought the Minstrels to your friend's mind.

Subject: RE: Origins: Colorado
From: GUEST,Cookie
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 06:17 AM

Thank both of you for you help.

Have a nice weekend

Subject: RE: Origins: Colorado
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 11:08 PM

Words and music by David Allen and Paul Colwell. Sheet music at www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0044566
From an "Up with People album.
Airplane and spaceship are the remaining forms of transportation.

Subject: RE: Origins: Colorado
From: Amos
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 10:51 PM

I found one post on the Internet where the poster said he had found it:

"i found a bit of the elementary school song i remembered thanks to google:"

If I had a wagon I would go to Colorado
Go to Colorado (if i had a wagon i would)
If I had a wagon I would go to the state
Where a man can walk a mile high

"If I had a Chevy I would drive to Colorado
Drive to Colorado (if i had a chevy i would)
If I had a Chevy I would drive to the state
Where a man can walk a mile high."

But oddly enough that's the only thing I found about it, not the source he got it from.


A

Subject: Origins: Colorado
From: GUEST,Cookie
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 09:34 PM

Does anyone know the title/artist of this song? A friend said he
thought it was done by New Christy Minstrels, but I can't find any
info that they did it.

It goes like this:

If I had a wagon I ride to Colorado, ride to Colorado...
If I had an airplane I would fly to Colorado, fly to Colorado...
If I had a car I would drive to Colorado, drive to Colorado...

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: If I Had A Wagon, I Would Go to Col
From: GUEST,jefe
Date: 09 Oct 02 - 03:23 AM

does anyone know where i could find a copy of this song?

please email me at [e-mail] with the subject if i had a wagon.

Thanks

Subject: Lyr Add: COLORADO (Dave Allen, Paul Colwell)
From: Barry T
Date: 06 Jun 02 - 02:00 AM

COLORADO
Dave Allen / Paul Colwell (ASCAP)

If I had a wagon I would go to Colorado
Go to Colorado, go to Colorado
(If I had a wagon I would...)
If I had a wagon I would go to the State
Where a man can walk a mile high.

Verse
You come across the prairie
And there before your eyes
You see the Rocky Mountain peaks
Climbing up to the sky
Climbing up to the sky.

Chorus
If I had a Chevy I would drive to Colorado
(etc.)

Verse I'm lookin' for more than silver
I'm lookin' for more than gold
Just like the Rocky Mountain State
_____(?) folks who are rugged and bold
Folks who are rugged and bold.

Chorus
If I had an airplane I would fly to Colorado
(etc.)

Verse
Just take a big deep breath of
That most abundant air
That's why so many folks from
California are there
California are there.

Chorus
If I had a spaceship I would land in Colorado
(etc.)

Verse
There's hating and there's fighting
Across this world so wide
Our uniting spirit they will find
At the Great Continental Divide
At the Great ontinental Divide.

Chorus I don't have a wagon, and I
Don't have a Chevy, and I
Don't have an airplane, and I'll
Never have a spaceship, but I've
Got two feet to climb with, and it's
Pikes Peak or bust
Where America can learn again
Just like Colorado men
How to hold your head up hi-igh
How to hold your head up high!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: If I Had A Wagon, I Would Go to Col
From: GUEST,muzical
Date: 05 Jun 02 - 07:05 PM

Barry T, If you are still active here could you post the lyrics to this for me here. Thanks Barry...