Words and Music by J.B. Coats

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

(Bring to him)

Parole or pardon

(Pardon free)

She brought no silver

(Brought no gold)

No pomp nor style

(Him to see)

It was a halo

(Halo bright)

Sent down from heaven

(Heaven's light)

The sweetest gift

(A mother's smile)



Her boy had wandered

Far from the far side

Though she had pleaded

With him each night

But not a word did

She ever utter

That told her heartaches

Her smile was bright



(Repeat Chorus)



She left a smile

You can remember

She's gone to heaven

From heartache's free

Them bars around you

Will never change her

He was her baby

An error will be



(Repeat Chorus)



It was a halo bright

Sent down from heaven's light

The sweetest gift

A mother's smile