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