[Verse] 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" [Chorus] 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 [Verse] 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 there rose a prayer Thank God the light was green [Chorus] 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