Johnny Cash — The Engineers Dying Child

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