Ten little candles, Jesus bade them shine,
Selfishness snuffed one right out,
then there were nine.
Nine little candles, one without a mate,
Bad companions came along,
then there were eight.
Eight little candles, doing work for heaven,
Laziness came over one,
then there were seven.
Seven little candles, every one alive,
Two got tired of trying hard,
then there were five.
Five little candles, once there were far more,
One forgot to read God’s Word,
then there were four.
Four little candles, bright as bright could be,
One didn’t have the time,
then there were three.
Three little candles, was one of them you?
One gave up Sunday school,
then there were two.
Two little candles, tale is almost done,
“I’m too small, no use,” sighed one,
then there was one.
One little candle, left all alone,
Kept on burning by itself;
Oh, how bright it shone.
Brave and steady burned its light,
till the other nine,
Fired by its example,
once again began to shine
ML-06/14/1996