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 free.
Brought no gold, no pomp or style to see.
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 ‘ere will be.