One day a mother come to a prison
To see an erring but precious son
She told the warden how much she loved him
It did not matter what he had done

She did not bring to him a parole or pardon free
She brought no silver no pomp nor style
It was a halo bright sent down from heaven
The sweetest gift a mother's smile

Her boy had wandered far from the fireside
Though she had pleaded with him each night
But not a word did she ever utter
Not told her heartaches her smile was bright

She did not bring to him...

[ guitar ]
She left a smile you can remember
She's gone to heaven from heartache's grief
Them bars around you will never change her
You was her baby and ever'll be

She did not bring to him...
It was a halo bright sent down from heaven
The sweetest gift a mother's smile