Nine became eight became seven
Seven into two and two and three
One that was lost joined two, then three
So that three became four
And seven became eight again
But never nine, for one was forever lost.
Alternate:
Nine became eight became seven
Seven divided into two and five
Five divided into two and three
The first missed one returned
Joined five's two, then five's three
So that two became three
Then three became four
And seven became eight again
But never again nine
For the secondborn, second dead
Second to fall, in a number of ways
Was forever lost.