The Engineer's 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