From Jeremy Jollyboy Songster by Sol Smith Russell (New York: Robert M. De Witt, 1876), page 26:


DON'T MARRY YOUR MOTHER-IN-LAW!
Words by A. W. French. Music by Harry Percy.
The Music of this song is published by E. H. Harding, 229 Bowery, New York. Price 10 cents.

1. Of all the troublesome creatures
That cling to a married man's life,
There is none with such terrible features
As the "Ma" of your own little wife.
Her head is filled with suggestions
For the good of connubial bliss.
She'll kill you outright with her questions.
Take my advice just in this.

CHORUS: Don't marry your mother-in-law.
Keep out of the reach of her paw.
You had better be dead
With a slab at your head
Than to marry your mother-in-law!

2. Should your home e'er seem lonely and dreary,
Your wife will then send for her sure.
"It's so nice for Ma to come, Charley,"
Says your darling. You must it endure.
And if your dear wife prove deficient
In matters known to womankind,
Her mother will post her in all things,
And drive you well out of your mind. CHORUS.

3. She'll keep you all day in hot water,
And worry you almost to death,
Till you wish in your heart that her daughter
And herself had never drawn breath!
She'll make your much-hoped-for Elysium
A desert of unending strife,
So keep these few words in your vision,
When you take to yourself a young wife. CHORUS.