One day a mother came to the 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 parol or pardon She brought no silver no pomp or style It was a halo bright sent down from heaven The sweetest gift a mother's smile
Her boy had drifted far from the fireside Tho she had pleaded with him each night Yet not a word did she ever utter And tho her heart ached her smile was bright
* Refrain
She left a smile son you can remember She's gone to heaven from heartache free The bars around you could never change her You were her baby and ere will be.