“Nellie of Meadow Farm” emerged in music and lyrics during a weekend with fellow architects at Ligonier. Nellie seemingly rose full blown from the waters of Lynn Run as Venus did from the sea. Her colorful little tragedy was subsequently re-enacted in many impromptu gatherings, but finally achieved a great public success at the Soirées Charette, a series of entertainments with which the members of the Pittsburgh Architectural Club sought to beguile the depression.

Charles M. Stotz 1949

Meadow Farm was a blaze of gold, caressed by the autumn sun
As Nellie herded the cattle home, and counted them one by one -
Brindle and Bessie, Jenny and Boss, placid, contented and warm -
But none were more placid or warmly content than Nellie of Meadow Farm.

But what’s that bell on the road hard by, and what’s that glint of steel?
It’s a dashing gent in a checkered suit, riding on a safety wheel -
A handsome gent with a black moustache, with blueprints under his arm -
“An architect, As I live and breathe!” cried Nellie of Meadow Farm.

The stranger halted and doffed his cap, and pleaded to quench his thirst
How could innocent Nellie know this villain would be her first?
What a charming smile as he made his thanks, how innocent of harm
And thus came sin on a safety bike to Nellie of Meadow Farm!

Little she knew that his heart was black, that his hot breath reeked of gin
But what was this tumult in her breast as she shyly asked him in
“An architect!” cried pa, “I swan!” how easy to disarm -
And the dastard dined at the humble board of Nellie of Meadow Farm.

The night was sweet with the scent of hay and the sky was decked with stars
As the villain fled on his safety bike with Nell on the handle bars
Lured away by his vows of love, seduced by his wicked charm
Off to the cruel metropolis sped Nellie of Meadow Farm.

A year rolled by and the sun once more touched the farm with a glint of gold
And pa was herding the cattle in, wrinkled and bowed and old -
When hark! who rides on the road hard by with an infant ‘neath her arm?
Weaving along on a battered bike, it was Nellie of Meadow Farm!

Nell was home but forever gone was the gentle country maid
Betrayed by a devil in angel’s garb - betrayed and then re-betrayed -
So ladies beware of an architect with blueprints under his arm
Unless you hanker to be betrayed like Nellie of Meadow Farm!