One day a mother came 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 parole or pardon free
She brought no silver, gold no pomp or style to see
It was a halo bright brought down from heaven's light
The sweetest gift, a mother's smile

Her boy had drifted far from the fireside
though she had pleaded with him each night
Yet not a word did she ever utter
That told her heartaches her smile was bright

She left a smile you can remember
She's gone to heaven from heartaches free
Those bars around you could never change her
You were her baby and e'er will be