Johnny Cash
Lyric guide

The Engineer's Dying Child

Read The Engineer's Dying Child lyrics by Johnny Cash on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.

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Page type: lyric reference Artist: Johnny Cash Canonical path: /johnny-cash/the-engineer-s-dying-child Related lyric paths: 6
Lyrics

The Engineer's Dying Child

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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.

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.

(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.

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Who performs "The Engineer's Dying Child"?

Johnny Cash performs "The Engineer's Dying Child", and this lyric page sits inside the Johnny Cash catalog on LyroVerse.

Are there related songs to explore after "The Engineer's Dying Child"?

Yes. The related section below points to One and You Are My Sunshine with a short reason for opening each page next.

Where can I find more songs by Johnny Cash?

Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Johnny Cash's lyric pages.

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