Hazel Dickens / Alice Gerrard: The Sweetest Gift, A Mother's Smile (Coats) - 1967, Lyrics

Hazel Dickens: Pretty Bird, 1967 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlAfA1AF4TQ

Lyrics below. This song was recorded in 1967, and released on the LP, "Hazel & Alice" (Rounder Records, 1973). Composed by James B. Coats (1901 - 1961).
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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 parole or pardon (free)
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 wandered far from the fireside
Tho she had pleaded with him each night
Yet not a word did she ever utter
That told her heart ached, her smile was bright

She did not bring to him parole or pardon (free)
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
The bars around you will never change her
You were her baby and e're will be...

She did not bring to him parole or pardon (free)
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.

JB Coats

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More historical recordings:

Hazel Dickens: Pretty Bird (1967) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbNBecU_yBU

Johnson Mountain Boys: Black Mountain Blues (February, 1988) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ap1-GjYwNI

The Late Senator Robert Byrd: There's More Pretty Girls Than One (1978 Recording) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYHs_gho5cY

Hazel Dickens / Alice Gerrard: Hello Stranger - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxzjHgbCjYw

Johnny Cash: Down in the Valley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJorUGP3TOM

Hazel Dickens / Alice Gerrard: My Better Years - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl8XDU8baWQ

Smiley Hobbs: Train (1956): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj6BLvNW8RY

David and Billie Ray Johnson - Bluegrass Breakdown: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpxZHT9h1CY

Earl Taylor & The Stony Mountain Boys: Foggy Mountain Top - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl7aR2FHf2k

The Late Senator Robert Byrd: Will The Circle Be Unbroken (1978 Recording) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzkEKLn-d8M

Friendly City Playboys: Back Up And Push (1961) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPvMlZhAs6k

Jerry Stuart, Pete Kuykendall, Smiley Hobbs, Tom Gray: Rocky Run (1969) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9vPPgeQzYs

Bill Monroe and Doc Watson: Watson's Blues - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3uaQMSG1tQ

Hazel Dickens: It's Hard To Tell The Singer From The Song - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h0-9KaroH8

The Nashville Grass - China Grove, My Home Town: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Qwj6cYN8jA

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Please note: As of August 27, 2010, I am uploading music videos to a new channel:

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Category:

Music

Tags:

• The Sweetest Gift
• A Mother's Smile
• Hazel Dickens
• davidhertzberg
• James B. Coats
• JB Coats
• Bluegrass
• Folk
• Mountain Music
• Country and Western
• Alice Gerrard
• Bluegrass guitar
• My Better Years
• Mercer County
• West Virginia
• Mike Seeger
• Pete Seeger
• New Lost City Ramblers
• Harlan County USA
• Matewan
• Songcatcher
• Banjo
• Bass
• Dobro
• Fiddle
• Guitar
• Mandolin
• Pete Kuykendall
• Smiley Hobbs
• Tom Gray
• Bill Monroe
• Hazel and Alice

[UncleCharlieOakley]

Magnificent. 

[gandeydancer]

So glad I got to see her with Ralph Stanley. Gone to join the Angel Choir

[rbheiss]

Thanks for posting this. Sadly Hazel Dickens passed away on Friday the 22nd. She was absolutely great and will be missed.

Rest in peace Hazel...

Rolland B. Heiss

[TruegrassBoy]

Some of the best singers have that raw emotion that chills the spine. Beautiful!

[randyflats]

I have this on vinyl, almost worn out.....Mike Seeger was married to Alice 4 a while & was responsible for pairing these two beautiful voices...........It doesn't get any better

..............................­.....Don

[roundrocktx]

@johneunson Rounder re-released it on cd.

[wendyslp95]

first I ever heard this was the Trio, Dolly, Linda and Emmylou when I was just a chick :) What great music!!!!!!!!!!!

[avisegev67]

They are great. I listen to these two often. Real and wonderful American culture.

[johneunson]

this is beautiful. is this available to buy? thanks for this post.

[bulbheadmyass]

Awesome. That is some of the sweetest singing I ever heard.