The Engineer's Dying Child Lyrics

The song The Engineer's Dying Child is performed by Johnny Cash in the album named Personal File in the year 2006 .



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 pa*s 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 pa*s 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.



Johnny Cash - Personal File

May 2006

  1. The Letter Edged In Black
  2. There's A Mother Always Waiting At Home
  3. The Engineer's Dying Child
  4. My Mother Was A Lady
  5. The Winding Stream
  6. Far Away Places
  7. Galway Bay
  8. When I Stop Dreaming
  9. Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes
  10. I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen
  11. Missouri Waltz
  12. Louisiana Man
  13. Paradise
  14. I Don't Believe You Wanted to Leave
  15. Jim, I Wore A Tie Today
  16. Saginaw, Michigan
  17. Girl In Saskatoon
  18. The Cremation Of Sam McGee
  19. It's All Over
  20. A Fast Song
  21. Virgie
  22. I Wanted So
  23. Seal It In My Heart And Mind
  24. Wildwood In The Pines
  25. Who At My Door Is Standing
  26. Have Thine Own Way Lord
  27. Lights Of Magdala
  28. If Jesus Ever Loved A Woman
  29. The Lily Of The Valley
  30. Have A Drink Of Water
  31. The Way Worn Traveler
  32. Look Unto The East
  33. Matthew 24 (Is Knocking At The Door)
  34. The House Is Falling Down
  35. One Of These Days I'm Gonna Sit Down And Talk To Paul
  36. What On Earth (Will You Do For Heaven's Sake)
  37. My Children Walk In The Truth
  38. Sanctified
  39. Lord, Lord, Lord
  40. What Is Man
  41. A Half A Mile A Day
  42. Life's Railway To Heaven

The Engineer's Dying Child