def _prefix_empty_lines(lines, goal_empty_count):
    """
	Internal function to prepend empty lines (no prefix considerations).
	"""
    """ find current empty line count """
    current_empty_count = 0
    for line in lines:
        if line.strip():
            break
        current_empty_count += 1
    """ insert newlines if too few """
    lines = [''] * (goal_empty_count - current_empty_count) + lines
    """ remove newlines if too many """
    if current_empty_count > goal_empty_count:
        lines = lines[current_empty_count - goal_empty_count:]
    """ done! """
    return lines
