[Verse 1]
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 2]
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 agleam
In the midnight air, there arose 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