99 and 1/2

(Traditional with additional lyrics by Ry Cooder & Mavis Staples)



Well, I'm runnin' 

I'm tryin' to make 100

99 and 1/2, it won't do

I'm runnin', runnin' for freedom y'all 

Cause 99 and 1/2 just won't do

Now, if your God won't help you

You better try mine

My God is a freedom God

He'll make a way for you,

In a weary land, 

He'll give you rest, 

When you're tired,

Protect you on a danger zone

He'll guide you down a rugged road

And bring you out on the bright side

I'm runnin' 

Tryin' to make 100

99 and a half, it just won't do

It's a rough and uphill journey

Lord, I'm tryin to make 100

99 and 1/2, it won't do, no, no

Down in Mississippi

It just won't do

Brothers in jail

It just won't do 

Uneducated children

It just won't do

It's the 21st century

It just won't do 

It feels like it's 1960

It just won't do

Broken levies

It just won't do

Lyin' politicians

It just won't do

Runnin' through hatred

It just won't do

Homeless babies

It just won't do

Freedom now

Lord, I'm runnin' 

I'm tryin' to make 100

Cause 99 and 1/2 just won't do

Aha, my God's a freedom God,

My God is a peaceful God

He's a livin' God

And He's a merciful God

He has a kingdom, you know

And a city called Heaven

12 gates to that city 

24 elders in the city 

48 angels in the city 

The streets are paved with gold

Have you heard of a city?

And don't you wanna go? 

The address is 100, I gotta make 100

You see, I got 99 and 1/2 

But it just ain't quite enough

I wanna go to that city 

City called Heaven 

No more cryin', no more hatred 

Always Howdy, howdy, howdy, 

And never Goodbye

Oh, that city 

Come on, don't you wanna go?

I tell ya, the address is 100, 100, 100

See, 99 and 1/2, it just won't do

No, no, no, no, no

99 and 1/2, it just won't do

I'm here to tell ya that 99 and 1/2,

99 and 1/2,

99 and 1/2, it just won't do

I can't use it