A little child on a sickbed lay,
And death was very near.
He was the pride and the only child of a railroad engineer.
His duty had called him from those he loved,
And seeing that hope was dim.
While a tear he shed to his wife he said, "Just have two lanterns trimmed."
Just hang a light when I pass tonight.
Hang it where it can be seen.
If the baby's dead then show the red.
If he's better then show the green.
In a little shack,
By the railroad track,
A mother with watchful eyes.
Saw a gleam of hope in a tender smile,
As the train went rushing by,
Just one short look,
Was his only chance?
To see the light a gleam.
In the midnight air their rose a prayer.
Thank god the light was green.
Just hang a light when I pass tonight.
Hang it where it can be seen.
If the baby's dead then show the red.
If he's better then show the green.
The Engineer's Dying Child Lyrics performed by Johnny Cash are property and copyright of the authors, artists and labels. You should note that The Engineer's Dying Child Lyrics performed by Johnny Cash is only provided for educational purposes only and if you like the song you should buy the CD