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