I have seen a lot of discussion about this song~~this should put most of the questions to rest. I would like to say that I spent many hours researching it before coming up with it, but the truth is, I found it at the Levy site. The Levy and Chapel Hill sites have taken a bit of the challenge out of digging for the words, authorship, dates, etc. of many songs, but in the interests of accuracy, they certainly are invaluable. With 26,000 at Levy and 2,250~~(smaller, but excellent)~~ at Chapel Hill, when they finish their scanning process, making accurate transcriptions is certainly easier than it ever has been. Of course, the written words are often at odds with the words as sung by Jimmie Rodgers, The Carter Family, Charlie Poole, or whoever. They were usually singing songs as they heard them from someone else, several versions away from the original, without benefit of sheet music in front of them as they sang. Sometimes (but not always) their versions were even better than the originals!

MOTHER WAS A LADY or If Jack Were Only Here
Words by Edw. B. Marks and Music by Jos. W. Stern, 1896.
Introduced & sung with phenomenal success by "The Little Magnet" Lottie Gilson

Two drummers sat at dinner, in a grand hotel one day,
While dining they were chatting in a jolly sort of way,
And when a pretty waitress brought them a tray of food,
They spoke to her familiarly in a manner rather rude;
At first she did not notice them, or make the least reply,
But one remark was passed that brought the tear drops to her eye,
And facing her tormentor, with cheeks now burning red,
She looked a perfect picture as appealingly she said:

Chorus:
"My mother was a lady--like yours you will allow,
And you may have a sister, who needs protection now,
I've come to this great city to find a brother dear,
And you wouldn't dare insult me, sir, if Jack were only here."

It's true one touch of nature, it makes the whole world kin,
And every word she uttered seemed to touch their hearts within,
they sat there stunned and silent, until one cried in shame,
"Forgive me Miss! I meant no harm, pray tell me what's your name?"
She told him and he cried again, "I know your brother too,
Why we've been friends for many years and he often speaks of you,
He'll be so glad to see you, and if you'll only wed,
I'll take you to him as my wife, for I love you since you said,"

Chorus: