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 shed 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
[ fiddle ]
In a little house by the railroad track a mother with watchful eye
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 the light was green
Just hang a light...