Thoroughfare Gap
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Sometimes I consider
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my pace
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I'm reminded of a train
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gathering speed
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for the climb to the pass;
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In whose shadow it already lies
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A small metal dragon
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approaching the ever-present ascending rise
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To the Seventh Moutain.
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Reelin' and snakin' and leapin' it seems
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Like it wants to come loose
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from it's path cast in iron;
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But you can't slow down now
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As the Earth has presented
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a new crest to reach
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Without barely a rest
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from the last one.
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And you wonder
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just what lies beyond
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Though you've been there before
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And forget about
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the effort and the strain;
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Always ascending,
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each yard as a mile
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To the never ending pull
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of the steepening grade
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that's before you.
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A valley, a forest,
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a desert, a stream,
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With an over-sized bridge
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for the trickle there beneath;
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You remember the torrent
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it turned to last Spring,
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From the snow's melting fast,
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And the river it became
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in the summer.
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Perhaps it is ruin
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from a fire that has scorched it
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So badly that nothing
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will grow without rain;
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To wash away the blackened soil
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Now useless 'til called upon again
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In a future as distant and far away
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as the next range of mountains.
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So take it as far
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as you see and beyond
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With eyes you don't use enough
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to gather up strength;
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As Thoroughfare Gap
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What awaits is whatever you see
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When you get there
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or even before;
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It's no matter.
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No distance.
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It's the ride.
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Thoroughfare Gap
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Stephen Stills |