Raining in My Heart (A Tribute to Buddy Holly)
It has been raining here almost continuously for 24 hours and the weather bureau predicts even heavier rainfall tomorrow. For some reason, my mind wandered to the Buddy Holly song "Raining in My Heart". I found it on YouTube and had a listen, now I can't get it out of my head. I took it as a sign to write an acrostic poem using the letters of the words of the song title and ultimately to write an entire tribute hub to Buddy Holly.
The Buddy Holly Story
Charles Hardin Holley was born on September 7, 1936 in Lubbock, Texas. He was the fourth and youngest child in his family and was nicknamed "Buddy" by his mother, who felt that his given name, Charles, was too big for her little boy. "Holly," the altered form of his last name, would later result from a misspelling in his first recording contract.
Buddy's parents were very supportive of their son's musical talents and arranged for him to learn piano and fiddle at a young age. His older brothers taught him the basics of the guitar.
Even at an early age it was obvious he had higher ambitions. A preacher at the local church once asked him, "What would you do if you had $10?" Buddy reportedly answered, "If I had $10, I wouldn't be here."
Buddy's parents were very supportive of their son's musical talents, giving him song ideas and encouragement.
Buddy fell in love with Elvis and we began to change. The next day we became Elvis clones
— Sonny CurtisAfter high school, Holly formed a band, Buddy and Bob, playing country and western songs regularly on the local radio station. They frequently opened for more prominent national acts touring through the town. The band's opening for Elvis Presley in 1955 was a crucial turning point for the singer. "When Elvis came along," one of the band members, Sonny Curtis, recalls, "Buddy fell in love with Elvis and we began to change. The next day we became Elvis clones." Although the bespectacled, bow-tied youth lacked Elvis's natural sex appeal, Buddy Holly's conversion from country to rock 'n' roll was soon noticed by a talent scout who saw his act at a skating rink and signed him to a contract.
In 1956, Holly and his band began recording in Nashville under the name Buddy Holly and the Three Tunes, but the group's line-up later changed and so did the name of the band to “The Crickets.” Holly wrote and recorded his breakthrough hit, "That'll Be the Day," with The Crickets in 1957. The song's title is a reference to a line uttered by John Wayne in the 1956 film The Searchers. Between August 1957 and August 1958, Buddy Holly and the Crickets charted seven different Top 40 singles. "That'll Be the Day" topped the U.S. chart exactly 500 days before Holly's untimely death.
He was joined on this flight by fellow performers Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper
BBC On This Day: 3rd February 1959
Buddy Holly Killed in Plane Crash
"Three young rock 'n' roll stars have been killed in a plane crash in the United States.
Buddy Holly, 22, Jiles P Richardson - known as the Big Bopper - 28, and Ritchie Valens, 17, died in a crash shortly after take-off from Clear Lake, Iowa at 0100 local time.
The pilot of the single-engined Beechcraft Bonanza plane was also killed.
Early reports from the scene suggest the aircraft spun out of control during a light snowstorm."
- Feds Won't Re-Open Inquiry in Buddy Holly Crash
The National Transportation Safety Board has declined a request to reopen the investigation of the Iowa plane crash that killed musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and JP "The Big Bopper"... US News Summaries. | Newser
Holly left The Crickets in October 1958 and moved to Greenwich Village in New York City to pursue a solo career. Ongoing legal and financial problems resulting from the band's break-up led Buddy to reluctantly agree to tour the Midwest in 1959 with The Winter Dance Party. Tired of enduring broken-down buses in subfreezing conditions, Holly decided to charter a private plane from Clear Lake, Iowa, to the tour's next stop in Moorhead, Minnesota. He was joined on this flight by fellow performers Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. As has been well documented, the ill-fated plane crashed within minutes of leaving the ground, killing all aboard. Buddy Holly was just 22 years old.
What strikes me as a little eerie here, is that at the time I was just 21 months old but I can distinctly remember hearing the radio broadcast announcing this plane crash and the death of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. It makes you question just how far back memories can go and at what age you can actually absorb and understand things you hear. Unless I heard the broadcast repeated years later and only thought I heard it live??
..the day the music died.
— Don McLean
Buddy Holly's death was immortalized by Don McLean in his legendary song "American Pie" with the words "the day the music died." Holly's music never died though, despite the singer's tragic and untimely death. Due to the continued popularity of his music and film adaptations of his life's story, Holly's distinctive geeky looks and horn-rimmed glasses are easily recognizable today.
Though his professional career spanned just there short years, Buddy Holly recorded over 35 original songs as well as covers of many songs by others who inspired him (78 songs that I can count in total) on seven albums, most released after his death. A compilation called "Not Fade Away: the complete studio recordings and more" released in 2008 in fact features 203 tracks. His songs influenced the likes of Elvis Costello and Bob Dylan. The Rolling Stones’ first Top 10 single in 1964 was a cover of Holly's "Not Fade Away." Many other artists have released covers of Holly's songs including Anne Murray and Leo Sayer doing versions of "Raining In My Heart", the latter's being quite a hit in 1971. The Beatles actually chose their name as homage to The Crickets, and Paul McCartney has since purchased Holly's publishing rights.
(references: www.biography.com; en.wikipedia.org)
Two Poems, Not One
I tried to write an acrostic poem using only the titles of songs that Buddy Holly had performed. It was much more difficult than expected and although I managed to complete it, I wasn't happy with the flow. Being limited by only song titles really restricted me. Nevertheless, I have included it here. However, I decided to write another one in rhyme, and still acrostic, but not confined by the names of his songs. I have included it in this hub as well, but I'm not 100% happy with it either. Please tell me which you prefer. I may continue to work on both and try to improve them.
Raining in My Heart (a Free Verse Acrostic Poem)
Raining in my heart,
Ain't got no home.
I saw the moon cry last night.
Never forget me.
I'll just pretend,
Not fade away.
Gone.
I heard the Lord calling for me.
Now we're one.
More and more,
You are my one desire.
Have you ever been lonely?
Early in the morning,
An empty cup.
Reminiscing,
True love ways.
Rain Clouds Will Never Tear Us Apart (a rhyming acrostic poem)
Riding a light plane
Against the storm,
Into the darkness,
Never see dawn.
I hear angels singing,
No words I have heard.
Guitars are strumming,
I fly like a bird.
Never forget me
My sweet Peggy Sue.
Yell my name loudly,
Help my songs stay true.
Ever and ever,
Always in my heart.
Rainclouds will never
Tear us apart.
Who do you consider had the greatest influence on Rock n Roll and/or Pop Music?
© 2015 John Hansen
Comments
The last question is actually a hard one as most of the others in the poll had their whole lives in the Rock or pop scene but without those few short years that Buddy was making records and history would the others have made it?
Each has had a huge impact and probably over his whole life I'd go for Dylan but with what he did in a short space of time it would be Buddy Holly.
Awesome hub. Voted up
Lawrence
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Hi Lawrence, yes you are right. It is hard to compare the influence that these singers had on the industry because longevity has to come into it. Glad you enjoyed the hub. Thanks for the vote up.
I would have voted Elvis Presley AND The Beatles in your poll, but settled for The Beatles.
This is a wonderful tribute, John. You provided history, details, and some wonderful music.
I like your second poem the best. Not only does it rhyme, but it gives the reader a sense of what may have been going through Buddy Holly's head as the plane was going down.
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Thank you Shauna. I would have had trouble choosing between those as well as I am a fan of both. Buddy Holly wasn't around long enough to compete with their influence, but he had quite an impact in just a few short years. I agree that the second poem is better and yes that is the feeling I tried to portray. I had trouble making a poem from song titles only.
Read the news account of the accident and then look at the film footage...it doesn't look like a light snowstorm. :) I remember this well...one of the great early pioneers of a music we love so much. Very nicely done, John. A great read.
I just came up with my own acrostic based on his name:
Born with a song
Under the sign of Virgo
Deemed by Fate
Diddly-bopping
Your way to stardom.
Heaven called
On that fateful day
Little did you know you’d be
Leaving this Earth and
Your legacy would begin to grow.
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Hi Bill, I agree. It may have started as a light snowstorm but soon intensified. They had no hope, flying in that..a tragedy. I'm sure you do remember it well. Thanks for reading as always.
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Well done Shauna. I am impressed. Your poem is a great addition to the hub.
Frankly speakibg, i have not heard of buddy holly songs and his death. I know aliciakeys also met the same fate
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Hi Peachpurple, well now you have heard of Buddy Holly and his songs. Alicia Keys is a beautiful woman and wonderful singer. I love the song "Girl on Fire"...but where did you get the information that she had died in a plane crash? She is alive and well as far as I know.
This was really good, John. I like how you combined biography, video and poetry. That last poem in particular was really good.
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Thank you Flourish. I am happy with how the hub came together but I may have to do some work on the first poem.
Great tribute.
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Thank you da am, leads good to see your comment. Have a great day.
Jodah, look what the rain did to you and for you? For all of us, really, since we learn some facts, about Buddy's life, singing and death. Your Muse stays on the job, it seems. Good verses both times.
Great read to a great musician. I love Buddy Holly! I am also a fan of some good acrostic poetry also. Good job. Jamie
Beautifully done John! I both love and hate earworms when they happen--
I never realized Buddy was this young when he died; such a shame. I loved his music.
I enjoyed your poems very much, Voted UP, and shared.
Buddy was a talent that passed much too soon. He would surely admire your tribute to him as I do.
Well done, John. I liked your rhyming poem best. I voted for Chuck Berry because I think he was a bit earlier on the rock and roll scene.
You have filled this article with music, poetry and inspiration. I see poetry in the comment field also. Terrible when talent is scouped away too soon.
Buddy Holly is one of the alltime greats.
Hi Jodah, I like your acrostic poems and they flow well! Voted interesting. x
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Hi MsDora, I think it because when it's raining I am restricted by what I can do and am confined to the indoors. What better excuse to write? Glad you enjoyed this hub.
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Thanks for the kind comment Jamie, yes he was a special talent.
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Thank you Audrey, much appreciated. Yes, I agree about those ear worms... :)
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Yes Mary, much to young. He still hadn't realised his potential. Had only been married six months before the crash and his wife miscarried at the time she heard the news. Very sad.
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Thank you drbj, I'd like to think he would have approved.
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Thanks very much Lolly, and good to see someone vote for Chuck Berry. Last I heard he was still going.
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Yes Mike, we have lost too many talented people in tragic circumstances. Buddy could have contributed so much more. I tried to add a few different elements in this hub. I was impressed by Shauna's poem in comments too.
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Yes Larry, I agree. Thanks for reading.
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Thanks Suzanne, always good to see you and I appreciate your comment. Glad you liked the poems.
John, outstanding job on the whole article. Don't worry one little bit about your poems. They flow well and hold meaning as the titles lead one to the other. I'm impressed. As for who has had the greatest influence on rock n roll, I had to vote "other." Don Van Vliet, aka Captain Beefheart, holds that honor in my opinion. But Holly and the others you mentioned each had their own significant influence as well. Congratulations of an excellent article. Good luck with it.
John, fyi, check your section called "The Buddy Holly Story." At the end you have a little repetition in the lines. You'll see it. The article is too good to leave this minor item there. Well done.
Dad was and still is a huge Buddy Holly fan, and I'm rather partial to him myself, so naturally I had to check out your great hub and Poem. I think, however, that with 24 hours of rain you should be writing tributes to Noah. Funny thing is I was just sitting down to write a hub about the California drought. Siphon some of that rain our way. Great work, my friend, stay dry!
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Thanks Cam, I fixed the repetition. Your comment made me research Captain Beefheart aka Don Van Vliet because honestly I had never heard of him. It says he was excentric and frustrated with his meagre commercial success but gained a cult following and was one of the most influential figures in regard to alternative rock and punk music. After retiring from music he turned his attention to painting and sculpture. I appreciate you making me aware of an artist I was unfamiliar with.
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Hi Mel, the rain has finally stopped though still overcast. A lot of areas had flooding so I think we survived ok here. It does seem like only a year ago that I was writing about drought here so things have changed for the better since then. I'd gladly exchange some whether with you at various times of the year if possible :)
Funny, of my latest hubs, I would have expected you to read "Take a Walk With Me" because it is about walking to my mailbox to collect the mail :) but you fooled me by being a Buddy Holly fan (thanks to your dad). Glad you enjoyed this hub anyway. Hope some rain comes your way.
I hadn't heard of Buddy Holly before reading this hub. Knowing that he was able to have such an influence in the small amount of time he was given is inspirational. It's always nice to learn about new people. He also and he had a beautiful voice!
I might like your first poem better, but they're both fantastic.
John, "somebody" might have a hub on Captain Beefheart. :)
Oh, John, this is a most beautiful tribute to an amazing artist, Buddy Holly. You've done a stellar job here in not only your presentation but all of the insight you have shared into his brief life.
The best part to me are your poems! I loved them. I wanted to comment early this morning around 5:30 a.m., but I wanted to make sure to read your hub without having to rush through it before heading out the door to the city.
Up ++++ tweeting, pinning,G+ and sharing
Thank you for the wonderful Friday read. What a great way to start off the weekend ahead.
Blessings always
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Hi Friday, I am glad I could introduce you to Buddy Holly and his music. Imagine the influence he would have had if he had lived longer.
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Haha Chris, I wonder who that would be. Have to check it out.
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Faith (Theresa) thank you for such a beautiful comment.glad you liked the whole hub in general but especially the poems.thank you for coming back to reread it when you had more time. You have a great weekend.
You wrote the second knowingly or unknowingly like a song. It is infinitely better and flows well. The first poem is good also, but you lost the flow/consistency after the fourth line. No harm in trying again.
You've mentioned three or four giants of music, but the influence of the Beatles were the greatest, even now. They are rather like benchmarks or pioneers. Nice Hub.
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Thank you for your helpful comment Manatita. I stated my feelings about the poems. I may try different song titles and rearrange the first one if I can. The second does seem more like a song. The Beatles (especially Lennon and McCartney) are hard to go past as influences. Thanks you for reading and commenting.
Beautiful tribute and lovely poems. Enjoyed reading and voted up.
This is a wonderful tribute to Buddy Holly and yes he died young but done more for the world than many with doing what he loved. Voted up!
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Thank you for reading Vellur, glad you enjoyed this hub. I appreciate the vote up.
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Hi Nadine, yes you are right. He did what he loved and did make an impact in the short time he had. Thanks for the vote up.
Jodah, what a wonderful Tribute my friend of a singer considered one of the main figures of the rock and roll genre in the mid-1950s.. great share :)
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Thanks for reading Frank, he was quite an amazing talent and influence on rock n roll.
John,
Once again, you have produced a stellar hub. I can't see that I would change anything. Voted up for sure. I have a hub, "When the Music Died in Me" that I used as inspiration. So tragic when we lose such talent at such young ages. Kudos for an awesome hub using a beautiful song.
~Kim
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Always great to see a comment from you Kim. Thank you for your encouragement and vote up. and glad you don't think I need to change anything. I have read your touching hub "When the Music Died in Me" as well. This song has always touched me for some reason so I was inspired to write this hub around it. Take care.
Happy Birthday, John.
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Thanks Chris, much appreciated. I thought about trying to publish my 200th hub to coincide with my birthday but couldn't manage it..this is 199.
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What??
John, that last post of mine was an error. Sorry.
John! You did great, I will have to try this. I wish that you would do an acrostic poem for the word Beautiful, which is the 49th word in the Good Words Project. Maybe I will do one too.
In you poll, I chose Elvis, his fist song "My Happiness" though not a Rock and Roll song but was definitely Pop, would now be considered Country. I would say that Elvis influenced the Beatles, who did not come on the scene until the early 1960s.
I love this!! Voted up, UABI and shared.
Blessings and hugs dear friend.
Shyron
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Hi Shyron. Thanks for your kind comment and vote up. I agree that Elvis is hard to go past as the greatest influence. I have always been a fan of his and he delved in many different styles .. Rock, country, gospel, soul. I may do an acrostic for the word 'beautiful' but maybe write it in comments on the 'Good Words' hub, or give it to you to include in the hub you write for the project. Cheers.
I am writing it right now and I would be pleased to include yours in my hub. So this is my challenge to you. I believe you have my e-mail address.
My poem is done.
Blessings.
Really liked reading this. You did a good job remembering Buddy Holly, I appreciated the poem as well.
For all us Baby Boomers this is a moving reminder of the day the music died. Buddy Holly was certainly a legend in his short time but the added deaths of the Big Bopper and Richie Valens was totally heartbreaking. I remember it well.
Your poems are a beautiful tribute John. This entire hub is beautiful with your talent you have certainly made it soar.
Voted all but funny. Keep me coming!
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Thank you Bluebird, I appreciate you reading this and your kind comment.
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Ok Shyron. I will try to get onto mine right away.
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Thank you Mary, I always appreciate you reading my hubs and for your generous comments. Yes, you are right that richy Valens and the Big Bopper were equally heartbreaking. I know about Richie Valens through the movie La Bamba, but very little about the Big Bopper so I have to look into that. Glad you enjoyed this tribute. Take care.
Elvis for the win. "Everyday" by Buddy is my fave of his short career, so charming. Hope your'e doing well down under and that the rain has tapered off.
EWF
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Yes the rain's all gone Eric. I agree it's hard to beat Elvis overall. Thanks for reading.
Chilling video clip. I had never seen that.
I liked both of your poems...the second one has such an element of heartbreak, moment by moment. I liked this: ...guitars are strumming. I fly like a bird.
Beautiful and touching! Voted up and beautiful.
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Thanks Essie, I hadn't seen that video clip before either. Glad you liked the poems too and the second is the one I like best too. I appreciate the vote was up.
"The Day the Music Died."........Sad, so sad. The incredible talent taken from us on that day will remain our tragedy in music, forever. I loved Buddy & remember all of his songs. Yesterday, when I first passed your Title, from that minute for the entire day.....his music played over & over again in my head. I couldn't stop it.
This is a wonderful, nostalgic and bittersweet hub, Jodah. Thank you! UP+++pinned & tweeted
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Thanks for reading this and your kind comment, vote up, pin and tweet Paula. I was amazed at the number of songs he actually recorded and have still only heard a fraction of them. But as with you I had trouble getting them out of my head once I started writing this hub.
Wonderful poems, especially the second, and an inspired hub.
I love Buddy Holly's music. I guess much of rock'n'roll was due to Elvis and the Beatles (whom I always loved).
'American Pie' remains one of my favourite songs too, not only because of the tribute but because of its haunting melody and words; it flows and flows and just keeps flowing - a bit like your poetry, John.
Love this. Up ++ & shared.
Ann
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Thank you Ann, that comment means a lot to me. American Pie will always be one of my favourites too. Thanks for the compliments, vote up and share.
Wonderful tribute to Buddy Holly, Jodah. He had a true entertainer's name. It was a very tragic ending to a blossoming career. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks word, you are right he had a great name. Glad you enjoyed this.
To be honest I did not like Buddy Holly when I was younger and it probably was his geeky look because he has a great voice which I later discovered when I stopped wearing rose colored glasses.
Sorry I missed this but I am getting no notices again and have to go now and see about that.
As always ^+
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I'm like you Jackie, I didn't really appreciate Buddy Holly's music until a long time after his death. Now I realize what a great voice he had, and what an amazing contribution he made to Rock n Roll in such a short career. Hope you get your notifications sorted out.
Great work, John, this really flowed like warm butter.
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Thank you for reading Deb, glad you liked the flow.
So interesting Jodah. I love that song "American Pie," and I did not know that it was about the day Buddy Holly died.
Everyone loved Elvis didn't they? The truth is, if I lived back then I would of probably crushed on Buddy more. I never go for the most popular.
You probably do remember hearing the news bulletin about the crash on the radio. I can remember learning how to say the words, "I don't know," and shrugging my shoulders while saying it. I was very young, one or two years old. I remember feeling really proud. Lol
Do you remember Gary Busey playing Buddy in the movie about his life? I loved that movie. It's probably the movie that introduced me to who Buddy Holly was.
I enjoyed this Hub and I loved your poems as well. :)
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Hi Missy, good to see you again :) thanks for the interesting comment. I can't recall seeing the movie you mention starring Gary Busey however. I will have to look it up. Was it called "the Buddy Holly Story"?
Good hub thinking back and appreciating a true artist. I enjoyed both poems but the second struck a cord with me. I don't think it needs a thing, it's perfect just like it is. Buddy Holly - what a legend! Great hub!
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Thank you bluebird. I appreciate you reading this hub and for the kind comment. Glad you liked the second poem especially..and yes he was a true legend.
Hoped on over to your hub. Wonderful tribute to Buddy Holly. Loved the poetry and all that you posted really touched the heart.
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Thank you for reading this Rasma. I appreciate your kind words about this tribute hub. I loved your's as well.
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