Fate Hanged on a Hairbreadth
It was summer,1944.
The train stood at the railway station of Gyŏr,
halfway on the road
between Budapest and Vienna.
In the boxcars
there were over 3,000 passengers.
The Hungarian gendarmes squeezed
the deported men, women and children
like sardines into the wagons
and the prisoners were crying for help.
For the SS-Unterscharführer
assigned to the transport
it was just another job.
The corporal already directed
many similar trains to the east.
And those trains always went to the east
and to the same terminus.
However, this transport of deportees
was unlike the others.
The SS corporal made a fatal mistake
but the guards discovered this
only at the Slovakian border.
The train's number was not
on the list of transports
destined for Auschwitz.
The train stopped
at the Slovakian border.
Here the guards contacted
Colonel Adolf Eichmann by telephone
and informed him about the error.
Eichmann decided
that since the train traveled that far
it should continue to Auschwitz.
So the SS guards changed the serial number
of the train and replaced it with the number
of another train departing from Debrecen.
Thus, instead of the death camp
of Auschwitz-Birkenau
in Nazi occupied Poland,
the train from Debrecen
was sent to the distribution camp
of Strasshof in Austria.
As you see,
fate hanged in the war on a hairbreadth.
A freak of chance, a random accident,
an oversight of procedure,
or of a supposed algorithm,
could lead to arbitrary decisions
regarding the life or death of thousands.
Although Strasshof
was a brutal slave labor lager,
most people there,
about 14,000 of the 21,000 deportees,
survived the ordeal of the Holocaust.
poem by Paul Hartal
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Meet Me At The Station
(brother williams memphis sanctified singers)
Well if I get to heaven before you do
I will meet you at the station when your train comes along
Ill be watching and waiting, mother dear, for you
I will meet you at the station when your train comes along
Father, when the train
Father, when the train
Meet me at the station when the train comes along
When the train
Father, when the train comes along
I will meet you at the station when your train comes along
Well if my eyes see the glory, before yours do
I will meet you at the station when your train comes along
Ill be watching and waiting, father, for you
I will meet you at the station whe your train comes along
Father, when the train
Father, when the train
Meet me at the station when the train comes along
Father, when the train
Father, when the train comes along
I will meet you at the station when your train comes along
Now if my feet touch the homeline before yours do
I will meet you at the station when the train comes along
Ill be watching and waiting, my brother, for you
I will meet you at the station when the train comes along
When the train
When the train
Meet me at the station when the train comes along
When the train
When the train comes along
Meet me at the station when the train comes along
When the train
When the train
Meet me at the station when the train comes along
When the train
When the train comes along
Meet me at the station when the train comes along
Now if you see gods country before I do
Will you meet me at the station when my train comes along
Will you be there watching, sister, for me
Will you meet me at the station when my train comes along
When my train
When my train
Meet me at the station when my train comes along
When my train
Sister, when my train comes along
Will you meet me at the station when my train comes along
When the train
When the train
Meet me at the station when my train comes along
When the train
Oh, when the train
Meet me at the station when the train comes along
Meet me at the station when the train comes along
Meet me at the station when the train comes along
song performed by by Waterboys
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Travel in a Box Car of the Fuehrer
Armed with bayonet-fixed rifles
And hurling vulgar insults
Royal Hungarian gendarmes
In cock- feather- plumed hats
Shoved us with vicious force
Onto a shabby cattle car
In the railway station of Szeged.
And then they locked the doors.
With my little sister in her arms
Mother and I found ourselves
Amid eighty men, women and children
Squeezed together like sardines
In a hermetically sealed tin can.
The wagon was ill-ventilated
Its small windows were barred and wired.
The Jewish prisoner train
Departed slowly with the deported
Gathering clattering momentum
On a dreadful journey
Into the gloomy unknown.
The box car came with two buckets
One was filled with water
The other empty for human waste
And soon was filled to the rim
With urine and feces.
The car became a stinking latrine
Rolling on rusty wheels.
We travelled day and night
And sometimes the train
Made a halt on the open track
In the middle of nowhere
Waiting idly for a long time.
We arrived at the concentration camp
After a horrible voyage of three days
But not before the Hungarian gendarmes
Were replaced by SS guards
At the Austrian border.
During the ordeal of this voyage
I sat next to a sick old man
Who was lying on the floor exhausted.
My shoes were touching his face
And I began to play with my shoe lace
Passing it over his mouth and nose.
He had sighed and groaned in delirium
And when my mother noticed
She scolded me in an angry voice.
So I stopped and apologized
For my uncomprehending mischief
But the old man did not hear my words.
The train wheels kept rattling
Over the railway tracks
Across meadows and towns.
Some time passed
And then I looked at the old man:
He became very quiet.
Mother told me that he died.
poem by Paul Hartal
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Ride The Train
Words and music by teddy gentry
Orange blossom special, the wabash cannonball, the chattanooga choochoo, this hobos seen em all.
Ive watched the sante fe lay her smoke against the sky and listen to old
Number three rollin through the night.
Chorus:
Ride the train. ride the train.
Anywhere Im going I ride trains.
Sleepin in a boxcar when it rains.
Ride the train, ride the train.
Southern pacific, the overland express and up ahead the coal cars of west
Virginias best.
And oklahomas frisco, the biggest one of all.
Ive listened to the silver steeds lonesome midnight call.
Chorus
Ride the train. trains.
song performed by by Alabama
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Big Train
John fogerty
When i was young, i spent my summer days
Playin' on the track.
The sound of the wheels rollin' on the steel
Took me out, took me back.
Big train from memphis,
Big train from memphis,
Now it's gone gone gone, gone gone gone.
Like no one before, he let out a roar,
And i just had to tag along.
Each night i went to bed with the sound in my head,
And the dream was a song.
Big train from memphis,
Big train from memphis,
Now it's gone gone gone, gone gone gone.
Well i've rode 'em in and back out again
You know what they say about trains;
But i'm tellin' you when that memphis train came through,
This ol' world was not the same.
Big train from memphis,
Big train from memphis,
Now it's gone gone gone, gone gone gone.
song performed by by Roy Orbison
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Trains
Here I am at the end of the day
With a cup of cold coffee
From the station buffet.
On trains, on trains I seem
To spend my life on trains.
See the blue suit banker in the ticket line.
Got an evening standard with playboy
Hidden behind.
On trains, on trains he seems
To spend his life on trains.
Time after time.
Was I just dreaming?
Did I help you aboard?
Full passenger service ---
Let me help with the door.
Sit down take the weight off your feet.
Theres a train full of people Id like
You to meet.
On trains, on trains we love
To spend our lives on trains.
Join the secret world of trains.
Feel the pleasure. touch the pain.
Drift into yesterday.
Once and again
I was just thinking.
We could meet sometime
On the 17.30 where
I usually find
My friends at the end of the day.
May we pay your fare, lady?
We should like you to stay
In our train. on trains ---
Youll have to spend your life
On trains.
I hear theres an office party on the 18.05.
Youll be home for christmas if they
Take you alive from the train.
Those trains, we have to spend our lives
On trains.
Once and again
I was just thinking.
We could meet any time
On number two platform
Where I usually find
My friends at the end of the day.
On trains, trains, trains.
song performed by by Jethro Tull
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Train Of Gold
I saw her there from across the street, she was dressed in black
And when she moved she moved to a beat, like a cadillac
She rode a train, train train train, a train of gold
She was a woman of suspicious ways, never saw daylight
And in her room she sat and passed the days
And shed creep out at night
She rode a train, train train train, a train of gold
Chorus: train of gold, train of gold
It took me so long to find out I was wrong
Now I wait for her in the night
Looked through a window saw a velvet sky, a shade of green
A violin was playing soft and sweet, like it was a dream
She rode a train, train train train, a train of gold
Train of gold, train of gold
It took me so long to find out I was wrong
Now I wait for her in the night
Train of gold, train of gold
I dont believe her, it just couldnt be her
I cant get it out of my mind
song performed by by Electric Light Orchestra
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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How Long Must I Wait For You
You told me you would me at the station gate
For our honeymoon excursion
You told me you would me at the station gate
But I got a different version
Train number one is gone
Train number two is gone
Train number three is been gone
How long must I wait for you?
Train number four is gone
Train number five is gone
Train number six is been gone
How long must I wait for you?
I got my tickets and a reservation set for two
Luggage waiting on the track
But I got no use for reservations without you
I got to give the tickets back
Cause train number one is back
Train number two is back
Train number three is been back
How long must I wait for you?
You told me you would me at the station gate
For our honeymoon excursion
You told me you would me at the station gate
But I got a different version
Train number one is gone
Train number two is gone
Train number three is been gone
How long must I wait for you?
Train number four is gone
Train number five is gone
Train number six is been gone
How long must I wait for you?
I got the tickets and a reservation set for two
Luggage waiting on the track
But I got no use for reservations without you
I got to give the tickets back
Cause train number one is back
Train number two is back
Train number three is been back
How long must I wait for you?
How long, baby
How long, baby
How long, how long . . .
How long must I wait for you?
song performed by by Joe Jackson
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Fast Train
Written by: myles goodwyn
I read the colors this mornin
I read the colors today
About a man who left from nowhere to be someone
And every day he has to pay in every way
I met a man from new york city
He spoke of things Ive yet to find
A good man driven from his homeland
Tryin to find some piece of mind
Its a fast train
Its a fast train
Its a fast train
Its a fast train
Its a fast train
Its a fast train
Its a fast train
Its a fast train
Its a fast train
Its a fast train
Its a fast train
Its a fast train
Its a fast train
song performed by by Kate Bush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Train Long Gone
(Gone!) Well, I hate how that word
Rattles all around in this room
(Alone,) with a memory so strong
I could sweep it up with a broom.
(Tears,) if I shed anymore I'm afraid
They might wear out my face
(Clear,) Yes, It's clear to me now
That her love can never be replaced.
Love may be gone but never forgotten
The memory won't leave you alone
And the train may be long gone from the station
But you still hear the whistle moan.
Still hear the whistle moan.
--- Instrumental ---
(Time,) time got so slow and thick
That the clock hardly ticks anymore
(Crime,) it's a crime how I sit here
And stare like a dog at the door.
(Blame,) Aw yes, I'll take the blame
I admit I did not treat her right
(Shame,) It's a shame laying here
All alone on this cold, windy night.
Love may be gone but never forgotten
The memory won't leave you alone
And the train may be long gone from the station
But you still hear the whistle moan.
Still hear the whistle moan.
Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh
Train gone, long gone train.
Ohh, Ohh, Ohh
Train gone, long gone train.
Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh
Train gone, long gone train.
Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh
Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh.
Love may be gone but never forgotten
The memory won't leave you alone
And the train may be long gone from the station
But you can still hear the whistle moan.
Still hear the whistle moan.
Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh
Train gone, long gone train.
Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh
Train, long gone train.
Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh
Train, long gone train.
Ohh, Ohh, Ohh
Train gone, long gone train.
Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh
Train, long gone train.
Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh
Long gone train.
Ohh, Ohh, Ohh
Train, long gone train.
Ohh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh
Train, long gone train...
song performed by by Randy Travis
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Mystery Train
(herman parker/sam phillips)
Train arrive 16 coaches long
Train arrive 16 coaches long
Well that long black train
Took my baby back home
Train train rolling round the bend
Train train rolling round the bend
Well it took my baby
Away from me again
Went down to the station
To meet my baby at the gate
Ask the station master
If her train is running late
He said no if your wait
On that old 44
I hate to tell you son
But that train dont stop her anymore
Train train rolling round the bend
Train train rolling round the bend
Well it took my baby
Away from me again
Heard that whistle blowing
It was the middle of the night
When I got down to the station
The train was rolling out of site
Mystery train rolling round the bend
Mystery train rolling round the bend
Well it took my baby
Away from me again
song performed by by Emmylou Harris
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Joy on the Trains at Jubilee Time
At the station, the platform is packed.
Soon our train is heading down the track.
As our London-bound train slowly approaches,
I am surprised by the evident lack of coaches.
The ensuing rush to get on, is all rather manic.
The Guard blows his whistle and everyone panics.
Upon the platform, there's soon no one left,
But many new passengers are out of breath.
Once onboard, there is standing room only:
There's certainly no chance of being lonely.
Of vacant seats, I see there is a major lack,
So I stand, holding on to the luggage rack.
Some people are huddled up by the doors,
Whilst others plump for a seat on the floor.
At the next station, they don't release all the doors:
Our already packed train can only take a few more.
By the time that our train reaches Woking,
It's a real nightmare - I wish I was joking,
But passengers are left abandoned on the platform:
Their faces disappointed, they all look so forlorn.
I overhear a number of passengers complain
About the distinct lack of carriages on our train.
During my journey, I spend most of my time
Thinking up sentences which, nicely, rhyme.
By the time our train pulls in to Waterloo,
With my new poem, I am almost through.
We're ten minutes late and the Guard explains
This was due to passengers boarding the train.
When I head home again, it is getting quite late.
And the number of carriages now totals eight.
No one is standing: everybody has a seat.
I travel home in comfort. Oh, what a treat!
poem by Angela Wybrow
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Train
Writers: leo sayer & david courtney
Running through my life
Like a river, like a song
Train keeps pushing me
Right back to the place where I belong...
Back along the tracks
Fly a million years
Right across my path
Train moves on ringing in my ears...
Come on board
Come on board
Train, oh train, take me back, again
I remember, I remember, take me back
Train, oh train, the journey ends and starts again
I remember, I remember, I remember
Ive been up all night trying to get this down
Now Im hallucinating
Staring at the wall look what Im creating...
Look at the clock Im twelve hours old
So many more remain
Way up ahead I know I see a train...
Come on board
Come on board
Train, oh train, all those memories, all over again
I remember, I remember, take me back
Train, oh train, the journey ends and starts again
I remember, I remember, I remember
Waited on the station all day
Just to see a glimpse of the morning train
Just to see the wheels turning round
Blowing up steam,
See what I mean,
You see what I mean...
song performed by by Leo Sayer
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Where are They Now?
Where are the bunkhouses
Where they once washed up - ate - slept
Where is the work we used to have for them
Where is the next freight train out of town
Where are the freight trains
They used to jump on and off
To get to the next work camp
The next job -the next hobo camp -
The last train pulled out
Of our abandoned station long ago
They're stuck in our town with
No jobs - homeless under a bridge
poem by Tom J. Mariani
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Wave Your Flag & Stop The Train
Wave your flag and stop the train
Stop the train
Stop the train
Wave your flag and stop the train
Stop the train
Stop the train
Someone just pull the little chain
Girl in my compartment lost her mind
Stop the train
Stop the train
Tried to throw herself upon the line
I cant see you leaving her behind
She doesnt quite remember who I am
Stop the train stop the train
Committing suicide was more her plan
When she was attached to another man
Wave your flag and stop the train
Stop the train
Stop the train
Someone just pull the little chain
Tried to tell the signal man in time
She still trying to jump out on the line
I cant see you leaving her behind
I cant figure out whats with her mind
I cant figure that shes out of time (? )
I see her reflection on the line
Stop the train
Stop the train
Gates and railroad stations passing me by
I cant see you leaving her behind
Wave your flag and stop the train
Stop the train
Stop the train
Wave your flag and stop the train
Stop the train
Stop the train
Someone just pull the little chain
Please wave your flag and stop the train
Youve gotta wave your flag and stop the train
song performed by by Electric Light Orchestra
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Right Track Wrong Train
The train was leaving at 10 after 10
I got to the station just in time to check in
Ive been bumpin my bags all around
Im trying hard to never knock people down
But I can see I left a few on the ground
And as the train pulls away I can hear the conductor say
Right track wrong train (echoes)
Right track wrong train (echoes)
Im not to blame (echo)
Right track wrong train... train
I read my schedule but my train wasnt there
I re-read my ticket, it said going nowhere
Everybody had the same tatooed face
All the women and men dressed in lace
I think I gotta get out of this place
I shouldve got off before the engineer locked the door
Right track wrong train (echoes)
Right track wrong train (echoes)
Im not to blame (echo)
Right track wrong train, train train train hey !
Hey thats a neat tatoo youre wearing. by the way whered you get it ?
Uh huh. say, is this an express train ? uh huh.
Snack bar ? uh huh. uh huh.
Something is happening so familiar to me
Is this the outer limits like on tv ?
Another empty town fading to gray
Another coca-cola sign on the way
Have a cup of coffee, have a nice day
And as the train pushes on,
Were headed for babylon
Oh no...
Right track wrong train (echoes)
Right track wrong train (echoes)
Right track wrong train...
On the wrong train on the right track
We dont know if shell ever come back
(talking) what train is this ?
Something is happening so familiar to me
Is this the outer limits like on tv ?
Have a cup of coffee, have a nice day (talking)
Yeah, yeah Ill be right there yeah. Im gonna get the next train yeah.
song performed by by Cyndi Lauper
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Last Train To Clarkesville
Take the last train to Clarksville,
And I'll meet you at the station.
You can be be there by four thirty,
'Cause I made your reservation.
Don't be slow, oh, no, no, no!
Oh, no, no, no!
'Cause I'm leavin' in the morning
And I must see you again
We'll have one more night together
'Til the morning brings my train.
And I must go, oh, no, no, no!
Oh, no, no, no!
And I don't know if I'm ever coming home.
Take the last train to Clarksville.
I'll be waiting at the station.
We'll have time for coffee flavored kisses
And a bit of conversation.
Oh... Oh, no, no, no!
Oh, no, no, no!
Take the last train to Clarksville,
Now I must hang up the phone.
I can't hear you in this noisy
Railroad station all alone.
I'm feelin' low. Oh, no, no, no!
Oh, no, no, no!
And I don't know if I'm ever coming home.
Take the last train to Clarksville,
Take the last train to Clarksville,
[repeat and fade
song performed by by Monkees
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Jumping Someone Else's Train
Don't say what you mean
You might spoil your face
If you walk in the crowd
You won't leave any trace
It's always the same
You're jumping someone else's train
It won't take you long
To learn the new smile
You'll have to adapt
Or you'll be out of style
It's always the same
You're jumping someone else's train
If you pick up on it quick
You can say you were there
Again and again and again
You're jumping someone else's train
It's the latest wave
That you've been craving for
The old ideal
Was getting such a bore
Now you're back in line
Going not quite quite as far
But in half the time
Everyone's happy
They're finally all the same
'cause everyone's jumping
Everyone else's train
Jumping someone else's train
Jumping someone else's train
Jumping someone else's train
song performed by by Cure
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Ghost Train
Here they come to steal my soul
(Ghost train)
Wait it out until I know
(Ghost train)
Trying not to feel I give it
(Ghost train)
Moving up until I go go
(Ghost train)
She was not to hear about me leaving
(Ghost train)
Trying to be near my heart
(Ghost train)
Trying not to feel like bleeding
(Ghost train)
Moving up until I'm taught to your side
(Ghost train)
Yeah yeah yeah
(Ghost train)
yeah yeah yeah
(Ghost train)
yeah yeah yeah
(Ghost train)
Got suicide for my baby
(Ghost train)
Living up until I wanted
(Ghost train)
Seeing like I'm out of bed, yeah
(Ghost train)
Moving up and taught I'm a weapon
(Ghost train)
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
(Ghost train)
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
(Ghost train)
I see myself pretend how to get there
(Ghost train)
Dripping down, I'm poisoned on the street
(Ghost train)
Come on come on come on!
(Ghost train)
Come on come on come on!
(Ghost train)
Come on come on come on!
(Ghost train)
Come on come on come on!
(Ghost train)
Come on come on come on!
(Ghost train)
Come on come on come on!
(Ghost train)
Come on come on come on!
(Ghost train)
Come on come on come on!
(Ghost train)
Got suicide for my baby
(Ghost train)
Living up until I wanted
(Ghost train)
Seeing like I'm out of bed, yeah
(Ghost train)
Moving up and taught I'm a weapon
(Ghost train)
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
(Ghost train)
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
(Ghost train)
I see myself pretend how to get there
(Ghost train)
Dripping down, I'm poisoned on the street
(Ghost train)
Come on come on come on!
(Ghost train)
Come on come on come on!
(Ghost train)
song performed by by Gorillaz
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Eastbound Train
It was New Cross Station, I was going on home
Saw you get your ticket, standing on your own
Here come the train about 02:44
I couldn't get a smoker, you took another car
Yeah, the end of the line, we both had to change,
And you're standing right behind me,
I'm a feeling kinda strange
We got to Mile End Road, my heart skipped a beat,
Standing right behind me, I'm a shakin' in my seat
3-4 minutes and the train comes through,
I'm ridin' on the Central, I'm a-lookin' at you.
Woman on the eastbound train,
Sometimes I wanna see you again.
Now I couldn't read a paper, you couldn't read a book,
Kept on taking me another look,
You got off the train, you never looked behind
I tried, but I can't get you out of my mind.
Woman on the eastbound train,
Sometimes I wanna see you again.
Well I got one more thing I wanna say before I go
If you get the message on the radio
You can write a letter, get in touch with me,
Leave your number with the company, yeah.
Woman on the eastbound train,
Sometimes I wanna see you again.
song performed by by Dire Straits
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Mystery Train
Train arrive
Sixteen coaches long.
Train arrive
Sixteen coaches long.
Well that mean old train,
Took my baby;
He's gone.
Train, train
Coming 'round the bend.
Train, train
Coming 'round the bend.
Yeah that mean old evil train
Took my one and only friend.
Train, train
Coming down the line.
Train, train
Coming down the line.
Well that mean old rotten train
Took the only friend of mine.
Train, train
Coming down the track.
Train, train
Coming down the track.
Yeah he took my baby
And he never bring her back, alright.
Whoo, whoo.
Train, train
Come and gone.
Took my baby,
Took my baby,
Took my love
Away...
Well I woke up this morning, yeah.
Nothing on my mind.
song performed by by Doors
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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