A little child on a sickbed lay
And death was very near
She was the pride and 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 she'd to his wife he said
Just have two lanterns trimmed
Just hang a light as I pass tonight
Hang it where it can be seen
If our baby's dead just show the red
If she's better then show the green
--- Instrumental ---
In a little house by the railroad track
A mother with watchful eyes
Saw a gleam of hope and a feeble smile
As the train went rushing by
Just one short look was his only chance
To see the light agleam
In the midnight air there arose a prayer
Thank God they shown green
Just hang a light as I pass tonight
Hang it where it can be seen
If our baby's dead just show the red
If she's better then show the green