written by J.B. Coats

© 1942 Stamps-Baxter Music & Ptg. Co.

© renewed 1970 by Stamps-Baxter Music & Ptg. Co.

© 1977 Stamps-Baxter Music of the Zondervan Corporation



One day a mother went 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

She brought no silver, no pomp or style

It was a halo bright sent down from heaven's light

The sweetest gift, a mother's smile



She left a smile you can remember

She's gone to heaven from heartaches free

Those walls around you could never change her

You were her baby and e'er will be



She did not bring to him a parole or pardon

She brought no silver, no pomp or style

It was a halo bright sent down from heaven's light

The sweetest gift, a mother's smile



She did not bring to him a parole or pardon

She brought no silver, no pomp or style

It was a halo bright sent down from heaven's light

The sweetest gift, a mother's smile

The sweetest gift, a mother's smile