J.B. Coats, as performed by the Blue Sky Boys and by the Seldom Scene
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cg0fEE9wnuw&feature=related
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 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
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 heartache, her smile was bright
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 bars 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