That 70s Song Contest - Playoff Round!!!!

That 70s Song Contest - Playoff Round
This is for the cover of the Rolling Stone!
Vote as usual, PM me your selections: 10 for 1st, 7 for 2nd, 4 for 3rd
Voting will be through Saturday, Winners announced Sunday

1 Have You Ever Seen the Rain (CCR)
2 Hey There Lonely Girl (Eddie Holman)
3 Knockin' on Heaven's Door (Bob Dylan)
4 Midnight at the Oasis (Maria Muldaur)
5 Saturday in the Park (Chicago)
6 Walking in Rhythm (the Blackbyrds)

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1 Have You Ever Seen the Rain (CCR)

It can't rain forever, there won't be clouds of grey
threatening all of your days between now and
the last breath of dew-stained beauty you take -

but when you learn of life long dreams s
hattering against concrete floors
and family going separate ways
all I can ask is "Have you ever seen the rain?"

And when this happens I won't mean it
like you've lived in a cave your whole life
or like even California beaches never see
the skies as anything less than cerulean -

but rather as in, have you ever seen
the rain falling from the eyes of
your own blood and the clouds
that gather above their
sunshiney soul; so again, I'll ask,

"Have you ever seen the rain on a sunny day?"

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2 Hey There Lonely Girl (Eddie Holman)

Standing alone at the graveside today
flowers forgotten in my hand
hoping, somehow by coming here
that I would understand,

Why the lord has taken my husband away
and left me all alone
did he need him more than I did?
did he want him for his own?

I cried out loud, but no one heard,
"Lord why have you taken him from me
you already have our still-born twins
and now you have all three".

They shared the same small coffin
and holding hands they both did lie
no breath was taken into their lungs
Dear God, why did you let them die?

The wind it wails and so do I
for I still don't understand
why He's taken all my family
and left me on this land?

Laying the flowers on the grave
their petals white as snow
I pray and talk to my love a while
for there's no where else to go.

"Please look after them dear lord
for I loved them, yes all three
they were very special in my life
and were very dear to me."

As the cold wind numbs my bones
I finally accept that you are dead
and these cruel words come to me
replaying over in my head.

I'm this lonely girl, lonely girl
my broken heart will never feel like new
I'm this lonely girl, lonely girl
Oh so sad because she misses you.

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3 Knockin' on Heaven's Door (Bob Dylan)

Missing You

As of late
you have been on my mind...
it's been so long
since I have seen your face,
I have missed
you so...
I went
in search of you,
traveling many a day,
many a night
to finally arrive
at the place you lay
your head...
Elation turned to sadness,
I was turned away at the gates,
"Knockin' on Heaven's Door"
apparently is not allowed...
I was told ever so politely.
Firmly, gently I was pushed away,
no living amongst
the dead
is allowed on these
sacred grounds...
Distraught, destroyed,
I flung myself
from the heavens.
My fall from grace,
epic...
Wings seared off,
never again will
I see your face,
destined to walk the earth,
throughout eternity
alone...

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4 Midnight at the Oasis (Maria Muldaur)

She reads the text for the 10th time:
"Room 18."
This is the last one.
Tonight will be different.
But... will it, really?

She stares at the neon signs.
Bright green palm trees
and flashing, stuttering words:
"O-sis Motel"
"Oasis Motel"
O-sis,
Oasis,
O-sis.

Two knocks,
the door opens
and the stagnant air
instantly chokes her.

She steps into the squalid,
uninviting room and he
takes her by the wrist.

Bed springs dig into her spine,
but her mind strays
to a different place.

A place with real palm trees
and crystalline waters
that quench her desire for something more.

Still she feels his clammy hands
wrap around her throat.
He likes it this way, but
tonight something is different.

He breathes in ecstasy
and the mirage fades
into darkness.
The palm trees flicker
in and out of her vision-
welcoming a different paradise.

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5 Saturday in the Park (Chicago)

I have seen more than you could imagine, child,
but please, do not call me an elder;
though I sit rooted, a firm foundation,
I write stories that travel miles ‘neath the soil.

I know each day’s start and finish
and my favorite by far is when you arrive.
Mama and Papa dress you in colors
of the rainbow, that make even the saddest
of sparrows sing.

You clap – I wave my arms.
You dance – the earth rumbles.
You smile – I understand life.

I feel myself mourning the day
when you will graduate…
will you remember me?
Will you still clothe me in costumes?
Will you still water my parched lips?
Will you still tell me your greatest dreams?

Play for me one last time, child.
Run your kite for me one last time.
Do not forget these simple days.
My skin is brittle but warms to
your touch…
you hold the world at your fingertips.

You say I am forever,
but no child, it is you;
only you can carry on my legacy.

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6 Walking in Rhythm (the Blackbyrds)

Till I Don't Trip and Fall

Everyday,
I usually walk in rhythm with my thoughts
while getting lost in obscure alleys of ideas.
Sometimes, I trip over pot holes of contradictions,
and I find myself laying on a ground
while staring at the moon of reason,
Then, somehow, I manage to stand up,
and find my way towards the home
where these thoughts were born

From there, the walking in rhythm with these thoughts
Continues on and on...

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I can't help but answer after reading the question:

"Have you ever seen the rain on a sunny day?"

Yes! I have. Several times. But only once have I seen the rain, hail, the sunny part of the sky, and the other cloudy part of the sky along with thunders and some lighting. It was a surreal view.

Everlasting, that is a great response to the question.

Come on people, this contest got tons of attention, so vote for your fellow PnQers!!!!!!!

Final opportunity to vote!
Winners will be announced tomorrow!

There's a squeaker race at third place , vote to break the tie