The Sweetest Gift Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris with The Seldom Scene The Sweetest Gift (JB Coats) 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 ...