A little girl on a sickbed lay And death seemed very near Her parent's pride and the only child Of a railroad engineer
As his duty called him from those he loved His heart was filled with fear And as his tears he shed to his wife he said: "I'll leave two lanterns dear".
"You may place a light from the window tonight From there it can be seen If our darling's dead you can show the red If she's better then show the green."
On his bended knees by his little girl's bed He prayed to God above, "Oh Lord, we need our little girl so, Won't you please spare the one we love?"
In the cottage small by the railroad side From the mother's watchful eye Shown a gleam of hope through her gentle smile As the train went rolling by.
Just one short glance was his only chance, But the signal light was seen There arose a prayer amid the midnight air Thanking God that the light was green.